Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right foot disability. The Veteran is granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury and a right eye disability, both of which are linked to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including a right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, bilateral anisometropia and refractive amblyopia of the left eye, status post jaw realignment surgery, tinea pedis, and varicose veins. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral pes planus. He asserts he used supports in his boots during service and that his condition was aggravated by service. A VA examination found no aggravation of the preexisting disability as there were no complaints noted in service records.,The Veteran contends his left eye condition is due to debris from service, but the June 2014 VA examiner diagnosed anisometropia refractive amblyopia OS and stated it occurred during childhood. The examiner did not address whether any disability resulted from a superimposed injury to the eye or if there was aggravation of the preexisting condition.,The Veteran asserts his jaw realignment surgery is due to heart and respiratory problems he had in service, but the VA examiner found no evidence that these conditions caused his jaw disability. The examiner also did not address whether any current jaw disability resulted from a superimposed injury or if there was aggravation of the preexisting condition.,The Veteran claims tinea pedis has worsened since the June 2014 VA examination and he has sought recent VA podiatry treatment for his condition. The Board finds that an updated VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his tinea pedis.,The Veteran asserts his varicose veins have worsened since the June 2014 VA examination, but no specific issues are noted in the virtual folder regarding this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities result in moderate disability characterized by pain on use of the feet and characteristic callosities with relief from symptoms with use of orthotics, but not severe disability. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis have not been met.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes a fracture that was repaired and now manifests as osteoarthritis with a scar from plantar fasciitis treatment, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs was granted a 50% rating effective December 22, 2009. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during active military service beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to unsuccessful attempts to obtain treatment records from the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility. The case is now pending for further development and potential readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including pes planus, hallux valgus, degenerative arthritis, and hallux rigidus of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to dress, feed himself, or perform daily activities without significant assistance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his election to receive VA pension instead of compensation benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current symptoms of sleep impairment are already contemplated in her evaluation for service-connected depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS). She has not been shown to have a separate sleep disorder that manifested in service or is otherwise casually related to her military service. The right foot plantar fasciitis was less likely than incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Veteran's skin disability was granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective May 17, 2011. Prior to this date, he received a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for a left foot disability is remanded as there are outstanding issues regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to December 10, 2014 for service connection for right radial nerve neuropathy was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and personnel files. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right foot disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TBI was found to be related to service, and he is now granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury.