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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip, right foot, and skin disabilities did not originate in service or within a year of service. The conditions are also not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's combined rating has been 80 percent since June 21, 2016. However, he is gainfully employed in a fulltime position and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, stomach problems, vertigo (secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss), low back disability (secondary to bilateral pes planus), and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service or a direct relationship between service and the current disabilities.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is found to be related to his military service, while his obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise concerning the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability and therefore has granted the claim. The case is now remanded to determine if any of his remaining claimed disabilities are secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating his medical records. The issues of increased rating for bilateral plantar callosities and TDIU are both pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case regarding an earlier effective date for service connection and the assignment of an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis (previously rated as bilateral foot pain and numbness).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's left fifth toe amputation was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of hallux valgus and pes planus. If it is found to be so, the claim for service connection will be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his bilateral knee, back, and pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to July 13, 2010, for service connection for migraine headaches.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to July 13, 2010, for service connection for right shoulder strain.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to March 10, 2010, for service connection for dry eye syndrome with bilateral pinguecula and chronic conjunctivitis (claimed as an eye condition, status post Lasik eye surgery).,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of service connection for asthma (also claimed as shortness of breath).,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of service connection for pes planus.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of service connection for temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of service connection for a liver condition, claimed as elevated enzymes and enlarged liver.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus of the left foot and a cervical/lumbar spine disability, finding that these conditions are not related to his service or service-connected right foot pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, chronic lumbar strains, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left foot disability, dental trauma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia, depression, anxiety, PTSD). He also seeks increased ratings for his lower back and right shoulder disabilities. Additionally, he requests TDIU.,The Veteran has filed a claim for service connection due to a dental trauma in service. The VA treatment records from the Perkins Dental Clinic and Dr. Kim's office have not been obtained yet.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia, depression, anxiety, PTSD). He also seeks increased ratings for his lower back and right shoulder disabilities. Additionally, he requests TDIU.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neck disability. The VA treatment records from Dr. Kim have not been obtained yet.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his lower back disability. An additional examination is needed to determine the extent of pain and loss of function during motion.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his right shoulder disability. An additional examination is needed to determine the extent of pain and loss of function during motion. The examiner should also consider whether there are any flare-ups that cause additional functional loss.,The Veteran is seeking TDIU. He has not provided updated information on his employment status since the last VA adjudication.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of plantar fibromatosis is related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for headaches prior to July 21, 2014 is denied.,For the period on and after July 21, 2014, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right plantar fasciitis separately is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds that his employment as an administrator at an unemployment office is substantially gainful.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right foot disability, including calcaneal spurs and Achilles tendon enthesopathy, was granted. However, his initial increased rating claim for DJD of the cervical spine and paravertebral muscle spasm from July 17, 2009 was denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection.