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

The Veteran's current bilateral flatfoot disability is considered to have been incurred during his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not worsen during her military service and is therefore not considered to be aggravated by service. As a result, she cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus disability has been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 8, 2016 and 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for left elbow injury residuals and bilateral pes planus are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of right knee, right ankle, bilateral foot, skin and allergy disabilities is dismissed as these conditions have already been granted for teeth number 23 and 24 trauma residuals for dental treatment purposes only.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right foot disabilities, as well as migraine headaches secondary to service-connected conditions, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated during his period of active duty, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back, left knee, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim to reopen service connection for hypoglycemia was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his active service, including due to alleged exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of August 23, 2016. His TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability other than pes planus due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current condition and active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus has been granted, with a disability rating of 10 percent effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and issuance of a statement of the case on issues related to her service-connected minor neurocognitive disorder and depressive disorder with symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.

The Board is requesting an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are related to his in-service ingrown toenail surgery. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar keratoses and pes planus from May 3, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the current 30 percent evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability did not originate in service and is not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee or left foot disability during service, and the VA examiner opined that any current osteochondral defect in the left knee is not related to service. The Veteran's large heel callous was also deemed unrelated to service.,There is no documented in-service injury or complaint regarding the Veteran's feet. The VA examiner concluded that his foot numbness during service was due to radiculopathy, and thus not related to any current callous.

The Board denied an extraschedular evaluation for service-connected bilateral pes planus from April 29, 2014. The Veteran's disability picture was found to be adequately contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's plantar fasciitis of both feet does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary for the Veteran's pes planus and lumbar spine arthritis claims due to conflicting opinions in the medical records.