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

The Veteran's right ankle, bilateral knee, and left foot disabilities have caused his clothing to wear out faster due to the use of supportive appliances. The Board has found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran, granting an annual clothing allowance for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an annual VA clothing allowance in 2014 is denied as the evidence does not support that his service-connected conditions caused damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and right ankle degenerative joint disease, are rated according to the appropriate diagnostic codes. The criteria for these ratings reasonably describe or contemplate the severity of his combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was manifested by no worse than severe impairment, with marked pronation, pain on use and manipulation, swelling on use, and extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces. The condition resulted in significant functional impairments primarily due to pain, including limitations on standing, walking, and various physically demanding tasks. The Veteran's symptoms were not relieved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and bilateral hammertoes. The evidence submitted since the May 1998 rating decision is sufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur has been rated at 10 percent since September 17, 2005. The rating was increased to 20 percent effective August 19, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a low back disability on the basis that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and any current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records. The issues include evaluations for various service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to incomplete records and need further development. The claim of reopening a previously denied headaches claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis B, and bilateral pes planus in August 2007. The RO has since reopened the claim for hepatitis B but denied it again due to lack of new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. Therefore, she is entitled to specially adapted housing but not special home adaptations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and dry eye syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records, as well as for further development of the claims.

Your service connection for plantar fasciitis (previously claimed as pes planus and foot pain) has been granted, with a 50% evaluation effective August 5, 2013.