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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an addendum to a previous VA examiner's report.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis was manifested by mild symptoms, including ongoing pain relieved by use of prescription orthotic shoe inserts prior to December 16, 2014. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that there is no current left knee disability and the Veteran's metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis of the left foot do not warrant an increased rating. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for abdominal irritation, status post epigastric hernia repair was denied as the evidence did not show any additional disability beyond what is contemplated by the current rating.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his pes planus service connection was also denied because no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and right thumb degenerative joint disease prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were not rated higher than the current 30 percent assigned.,His left foot bunion with pes planus was rated at 30 percent prior to August 14, 2015 and his bilateral flat feet are currently rated at 30 percent from that date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for a left thumb injury with a non-compensable rating. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability (other than pes planus) was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for left knee disorder or TDIU, but granted service connection for right hip disability.

The Veteran's laryngopharyngeal reflux, also claimed as voice changes and weakening, was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right wrist fracture resulted in residual pain but no compensable disability rating due to lack of physical findings.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral flat feet were found to be asymptomatic and not productive of any more than mild symptoms during the appeals period, leading to a denial of an initial compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records, including service treatment records and VA clinical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus is not related to his military service, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral ankles, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis during or within one year after service. The Veteran's flat feet were not shown to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right foot hallux valgus are related to service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated at 10 percent since October 19, 2009. The disability is manifested by subjective complaints of pain with tenderness upon use and results in overall moderate impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records from SSA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at the Newark RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot and ankle disabilities have been denied. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant records are obtained.