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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, back injury and right ankle disorder due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were aggravated during service or otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as he refused to report for VA examinations without good cause shown.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot pes planus and denied the claims of major depressive disorder, PTSD, and CUE in the August 2006 rating decision regarding right foot pes planus. The Veteran's left foot disability is found to have had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for pes planus, acquired psychiatric disabilities (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for pes planus from February 22, 2014 onwards. For PTSD and lumbar spine disability, no higher evaluations were warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right knee injury with traumatic arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized as status-post accessory navicular bone fracture, status-post surgical repair with residual metatarsalgia, osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and plantar fasciitis, has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to functional loss caused by pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral flat foot disability, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The preexisting condition was determined to be aggravated by military service beyond its natural progression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and a bilateral foot disability, including as due to service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to address issues related to service connection and increased rating for foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as they are rated at 40 percent combined and do not prevent him from participating in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was manifested by pronounced symptoms during the pendency of the appeal, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis was rated at 20 percent from October 14, 2004 to July 21, 2011. The rating is maintained as the disability symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's anemia did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7700.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5284 or 5271.,There is no objective evidence to substantiate a diagnosis of vasculitis, and therefore, there is no basis for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7114.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine her eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and left foot disability. The AOJ will also consider whether there was negligence or lack of proper skill in providing medical treatment resulting in an additional disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular criteria for TDIU from March 25, 2005 to April 1, 2008 and since April 1, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for tension headaches. The Veteran's TMJ was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, but his cervical spine disability met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding his gastrointestinal disability and other conditions. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's OSA was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of his bilateral foot disability, including whether it was caused or worsened by his service-connected back disability.