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

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the appellant's claims, including those regarding service connection. The character of discharge issue is also being addressed.

The Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not service-connected as it is not related to his active duty service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current left foot disability, which includes pes planus and hallux valgus, is due to an injury he sustained during service in September 1980.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of all his claims, including those for higher ratings for various knee and foot conditions, as well as restoration of a rating for moderate instability of knees associated with chondromalacia. The Board has dismissed these claims due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective November 4, 2009. The kidney condition claim is denied as there is no evidence that the benign cyst may be related to ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints/polyarthritis, a cervical spine disability, or a bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with no specific theory of service connection provided.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 24, 2008 was denied as his combined disability rating did not meet the minimum threshold requirement for an award of TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and bilateral plantar warts, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating her claim. The rating for bilateral plantar warts remains unchanged.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and his DJD of the spine is secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The Veteran's hiatal hernia has been rated at 30 percent under DC 7346.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left ankle and foot disabilities, as well as to obtain additional treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bruxism/ TMJ disorder manifested during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent from May 29, 2009, to October 2, 2010.,Effective March 1, 2014, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with bilateral ankle deformity and malalignment remains on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, foot disability (jungle rot), PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for prostate cancer prior to March 1, 2016 was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot disorder, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and nose disorder have been denied as his conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability, including pes planus and plantar fibroma. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left foot pes planus remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and bilateral pes planus disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a current disability or any in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and is requesting additional information from the Director, Compensation Service.