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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral knee disability, DM, eye and foot disabilities, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and depression. The decision found no new evidence to reopen the claim of a bilateral knee disability, that DM was not related to active service, and that none of the other conditions were related to active service or secondary to DM.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand, as well as right and left foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied higher initial disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected trigger finger and plantar fasciitis disabilities of both hands and feet. The appeals were remanded multiple times, but no additional evidence was provided or considered.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of whether an extra-schedular evaluation is warranted based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim remains pending and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for receiving SMC at the maximum rate under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(o).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus existed prior to service but was aggravated during service. The back disorder and adjustment disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his bilateral foot disabilities. The issues of service connection are being considered based on the merits, without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and bilateral plantar fasciitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has not been found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for marked limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability has also not been found to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for pronounced deformity, severe spasms of the Achilles tendon, or extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for the claimed disorders and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with plantar calcaneal spurs is rated at 20 percent effective February 22, 2013, and the highest schedular rating available. The disability was previously rated as noncompensable from June 10, 2008, to April 26, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 8, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he was incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss (prior to July 9, 2013), CAD, left calf scar and shell fragment wound residuals, left lower extremity lateral plantar sensory terminal latency, right thigh meralgia paresthetica, headache disability, and low back pain have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found no evidence of pes planus in service and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and attempting to obtain private medical records from Dr. JN and Dr. NR.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 10 percent rating for bilateral knee disabilities and a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus prior to November 15, 2016. From November 15, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.