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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and treatment records, and to address the issues of service connection for chronic low back pain, bilateral pes planus, GERD, and left shoulder scars.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus resulted in extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances from May 1, 2012 to May 29, 2014. He was granted a 50% disability rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examinations for his right shoulder disability, left foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur, and right foot plantar fasciitis. He will need new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and other conditions such as metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, ingrown toenails, tinea pedis, tibial sesamoiditis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), and osteoarthritis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was found to have been permanently aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for left ankle tendonitis, right ankle tendonitis, left knee disorder, neck disorder, back disorder, and hip disorders are denied as they lack the factual predicate of a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a right foot disability, as there is no credible evidence linking any current condition to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, tinea pedis affecting both feet, and pharyngitis. The next step is to schedule VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his right foot condition and the etiology of his tinnitus. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent for plantar calluses effective February 20, 2015. Service connection for heart condition and diabetes mellitus are also granted as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis and traumatic disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was incurred in peacetime service. The Veteran's left leg, left foot, and right foot disabilities are being remanded to determine if they are secondary to the now-service-connected low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and clarification of the medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% effective April 29, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating is 30%. The Veteran does not have service connection for left eye pain or right ear hearing loss.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's request to withdraw this appeal, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and venous insufficiency and chronic lymphedema of the right and left legs have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent or 20 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's flat feet were not incurred in service and are denied. The Veteran's hypertension, cervical spine rotary subluxation of C2 on C1, low back strain, left ulnar neuropathy prior to January 14, 2015, and left ulnar neuropathy from January 14, 2015 were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's callus of the right foot, diagnosed as Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, and/or plantar wart, was caused by or had its onset in service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that his hallux valgus, bunion, peroneal tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, or heel spur were caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for sinusitis, disability of bilateral big toes, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus began in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, resulting in moderate impairment of the right foot, is entitled to an initial 10 percent rating.