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

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs was granted a 50% disability rating effective May 13, 2015. Prior to that date, the condition was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional development of the record.

The Veteran's right hip disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected back disability. However, there is no evidence of a left hip disability or bilateral foot disability that is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral pes planus were initially denied in January 2010. New evidence received since then has been found to be material, allowing the reopening of these claims. The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee condition (ITBS) is related to his active duty service, while the pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not permanently increase during service.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was granted, with the effective date being August 15, 2013. The Veteran now receives a 30 percent rating for his disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for pilonidal cyst and bilateral pes planus on an extraschedular basis.,There is no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization associated with these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee injury, bilateral pes planus, bronchial asthma, and depressive disorder have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service-connected right foot disability, but more evidence is needed. The increased rating for the right foot disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left wrist ganglion cyst, hemorrhoids, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder, a left hip disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, status post posterior tibialis tendon repair, with residual scars, left ankle is dismissed. The issue of an increased initial rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right knee disability and initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus with disfigured toenails due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left ankle disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus as secondary to her service-connected bilateral shin splints, finding that there is no medical evidence showing a direct link between her service-connected condition and her current pes planus disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to inadequate discussion of reasons and bases in reaching its conclusion regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. The Veteran needs a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess his disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hyperkeratosis with hyperhidrosis of the feet was denied effective March 28, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied effective March 28, 2008. The denial was based on a lack of current disability and no in-service injury or aggravation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hyperkeratosis with hyperhidrosis of the feet was denied effective March 28, 2008. The denial was based on a lack of current disability and no in-service injury or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal was granted as he filed a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the February 2006 VA rating decision, which resulted in the denial of service connection for various conditions and an increase in rating for esophagitis. The remaining issues were decided on their merits.

The Board's May 2013 decision is dismissed as the Veteran did not provide a clear and specific allegation of CUE in any of the issues decided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability has been rated at 50 percent since September 28, 2006. The Board finds the evidence supports a grant of an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral foot disability.