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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, was not permanently aggravated by his active service or a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was initially manifested during service and is currently diagnosed. Service connection for this condition is granted.,There is no evidence of numbness affecting both hands in service or within one year post-service, nor is there any medical opinion linking the current hand symptoms to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 50 percent disabling effective October 11, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge due to the failure to provide such an opportunity.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot calluses and plantar wart disability is rated at 10 percent, effective September 26, 2011. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD has been rated at 30 percent since October 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of excision of plantar warts of the right foot was granted, with an evaluation in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The effective date is not specified as it is less than the maximum benefit available.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his bilateral plantar fasciitis is not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus with a right fifth toe bunion and residuals of a left fifth toe fracture, is rated at 50 percent effective October 27, 2013. The right ankle disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a lack of current disability, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle and foot disabilities are not related to his service-connected left knee disability.,There is no current diagnosis of a muscle disability of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was productive of no more than mild symptoms from January 23, 2007 to September 18, 2008 and moderate symptoms thereafter. A 10 percent disability rating has been granted for this period.

The Board has scheduled a videoconference hearing at the RO due to unforeseen financial issues preventing travel to Washington D.C. for the Veteran's appeal of service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any relevant psychiatric service treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus or plantar fasciitis may be related to her service-connected anterior tibialis tendonitis of the lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a myocardial infarction, finding that the Veteran's current heart condition is proximately caused by his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion and will be returned to the AOJ.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5276. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot arthritis is secondary to his service-connected pes planus, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, pes planus, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's disability picture more nearly approximates a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, warranting an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during his military service and denied entitlement to service connection for this condition.