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

The Board is remanding the claims for further development and an additional VA examination to address whether any new disabilities are related to VA treatment, including alcohol use.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for pes planus and determined that new evidence was received. The Board also found that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus did not increase in severity during service, but granted service connection for hallux valgus as secondary to pes planus and hammer toes as secondary to pes planus. Service connection for a right ankle disorder was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent, and his PTSD was granted service connection. The personality disorder claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a disease or injury subject to compensation benefits.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis status post healed metatarsal stress fracture was granted, but the current effective date remains unclear. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for this disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected. The claims for hepatitis C, bilateral foot disabilities, and head injury residuals are being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his active military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The right subtalar joint disability is also considered secondary to the service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis to the RO. The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's service connected conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis of the face, elbows, hands, scalp, groin, and axilla, rated at 60 percent, and pes planus, rated at 50 percent, render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on this combination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, bunions, plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome and contracted digit are not manifested by pronounced pes planus requiring a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be rescheduled for him.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right fourth MCP joint injury, fractured right fifth MCP joint, left plantaris rupture, and rib contusion. The Board found that there was no current disability resulting from these in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral bunion deformity and bilateral flatfoot have been granted, with the effective date being determined in a separate decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease are related to his active service due to wear and tear from many years of marching, standing, running, physical training, and wearing steel-toed boots.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left foot intractable plantar keratosis is granted, and a non-compensable rating for right foot hallux valgus and hammertoes is maintained. The Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including plantar dermatitis and perianal sinus and cyst/abscesses, as due to herbicide agent exposure (Agent Orange). The Board found that there was no current disability related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 7, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spine, bilateral shoulder, and left leg and foot disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new examinations to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right plantar fasciitis, and eye disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 50 percent rating for pes planus and service connection for tinnitus, finding that these were freestanding claims not authorized by law.