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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left ear hearing loss were granted service connection, with the bilateral pes planus receiving an initial rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the October 13, 1978 rating decision denying service connection for pes planus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. Therefore, an effective date of April 5, 1978 is assigned for the grant of service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of service connection for sleep apnea due to withdrawal by his attorney. The rating for bilateral pes planus remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case is now pending for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The VA examination did not provide a clear opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's foot disorder, eye disorder, or hearing disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for GERD, and there was no indication of severe impairment of health or other symptoms warranting a 60% rating. For his feet disabilities, the Board noted that the evidence did not show he required at least one month of convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was also denied as service connection is decided on the merits.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and her bilateral foot disability is rated at 30 percent prior to March 17, 2016, and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability has been limited to flexion of up to 90 degrees with no additional limitation due to pain or repetitive use. Her bilateral foot disability prior to March 17, 2016, was primarily manifested by mild arch displacement and heel pain.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied as he does not have the diagnosed disability. The Board finds that his PTSD symptoms, which are already service-connected, cause his chronic body aches and fatigue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and rigidus and medial bursitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and examinations for his service-connected foot and knee disabilities, as well as hypertension. The goal is to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected bilateral foot disability and back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was not raised by the Veteran or the record as part of his appeal for increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus with calluses. As such, the Board lacks jurisdiction over this matter and refers it to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service. The claim for service connection for a right hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experiences.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to his period of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.