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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 2010 claims for service connection of a left foot and left heel disability represent a petition to reopen his previously denied claim. The evidence submitted since the time of the January 2007 rating decision is both 'new' and 'material'. However, the criteria for reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess her service-connected left foot and left pelvis disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet) were denied. The Board finds that further development is required to determine the appropriate service connection theory.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claims of service connection for HIV and a foot disability. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 21, 2013 was granted with an effective date of May 21, 2013. The claims for increased evaluations for posttraumatic stress disorder were denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the last denial supports the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney disability, right foot disability (including plantar wart), and heart disability.,The Veteran's current complaints do not meet the criteria for service connection in these cases.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent right shoulder injury residuals including post-operative clavicular dislocation residuals and right humeral fracture residuals, but denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability. The Veteran's right shoulder injuries are considered to be related to his service-connected right knee osteomalacia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The issue of increased rating for bilateral pes planus is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including flat feet, osteoarthritis, bunions, and hallux valgus, is related to service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-TKR, is rated at 60 percent. The parotidectomy scar is rated at 20 percent (10 percent for one characteristic of disfigurement and 10 percent for pain). The left foot disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, while asthma and bronchiectasis were determined not to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and inconsistencies in the examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's foot and ankle conditions, including whether they are related to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision is pending as it remains unclear if any of these conditions are directly or secondarily caused by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee, low back, and left ankle disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and multiple orthopedic conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent prior to March 15, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent from that date. For bilateral pes planus, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating effective March 15, 2016.