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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral flat feet are service-connected based on in-service exposure to noise and military duties.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current respiratory condition (asthma) or skin conditions (herpes zoster, lipoma, moles and tags) related to service. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not shown at the time of his separation examination and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right foot conditions, including pes planus and sixth metatarsal with partial fusion of fifth and sixth metatarsals and dorsal exostosis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The plantar fasciitis was first noted in 2016 and is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a bilateral foot disability or an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression. The evidence does not demonstrate that his current conditions had their onset during service, were related to service, or are otherwise etiologically linked.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus was rated at 10 percent prior to May 16, 2016 and increased to 30 percent since that date.,Since May 16, 2016, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis is before the Board.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied as his service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a hearing at the RO. Service connection claims for flat feet, hearing loss, and bilateral knee condition are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's inflammatory arthritis with positive HLA-B27 is rated at 40 percent since September 1, 2015.,His bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the left carpal tunnel syndrome receiving a separate rating of 20 percent effective February 1, 2017. The other conditions remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent since November 1, 2010. The other issues regarding her service-connected foot conditions have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flatfoot disabilities, but denied service connection for plantar warts of the left foot.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the lack of severe pes planus, claw foot, malunion or nonunion of the tarsal or metatarsal bones, and no functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the increase in his rating for plantar fasciitis, which now results in a combined rating of 100 percent. The issue of whether he was eligible for TDIU prior to this change needs to be reconsidered.