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

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and plantar calcaneal heel spurs were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating (level II) for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with DJD. The Court remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's symptoms of plantar tenderness are attributable to his service-connected bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the October 12, 1989 rating decision which denied service connection for bilateral pes planus. As a result, the effective date of May 6, 1989 is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher initial ratings for residuals of a right foot bunionectomy and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left foot disabilities prior to October 5, 2009 were denied. The RO had previously granted service connection with non-compensable ratings in July 1972.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's pes planus and knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral leg/foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU based on his combined rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis and any scarring. The neurological manifestations are also under consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is a congenital defect and not related to service. The calcaneal spurs are also considered a congenital defect.,Regarding the lower-GI disorder, it was found not to be related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to issues raised by the Court in a June 2016 memorandum decision. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be remanded for clarification of the significance of a claimed stressor involving G.L., and for consideration of whether any superimposed heel spurs are related to service. The bilateral pes planus claim will also be remanded for clarification regarding the relevance of the Veteran's first period of service, and for an opinion on whether any superimposed disease or injury resulted in additional disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to injuries sustained during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current symptoms to service, and concluded that they were more likely due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left foot disorder, including pes planus. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and private records. The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been manifested by forward flexion of the lumbar spine functionally limited to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 120 degrees, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the course of his appeal.,The Veteran's left lower extremity neurological deficits have been characterized by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve; moderate incomplete paralysis has not been shown.,The Veteran's right lower extremity neurological deficits have been characterized by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve; moderate incomplete paralysis has not been shown.,The Veteran's right foot mild hallux valgus with pes planus has not been manifested by symptoms equivalent to being operated on with resection of metatarsal head or symptoms equivalent to amputation of the great toe; it also does not require the use of built-up shoes or arch support.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if her bilateral foot disability and back disability are related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis for the claimed low back, bilateral flat feet, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability secondary to his right knee disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as her right foot disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The current 10% rating adequately reflects her symptoms and impairment.