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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is service-connected, but his bilateral ankle, calf, and knee pain was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,There is no current disability for the ankles, calves, or knees.

The Veteran's kidney stones have been rated at the maximum available rating of 30 percent since November 21, 2005.,Service connection for a right foot disability has also been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was previously rated at 10 percent and increased to 30 percent effective November 18, 2014. His left knee disability is now rated at 20 percent with a separate rating of 10 percent for instability. His right knee disability is also rated at 20 percent with a separate rating of 10 percent for instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted for these disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current foot disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and arthritis of the feet, as well as a low back disorder. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence linking his current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the conditions did not have onset in active service or are otherwise unrelated to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, with plantar fasciitis, prior to July 24, 2012 was denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5276 and 5284.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent effective September 9, 2013. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet was previously denied. The issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD prior to December 21, 2015, is granted at a 70% rating.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the upper radicular group of the left upper extremity has been granted a noncompensable rating effective August 26, 2010. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for this condition.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the superficial peroneal nerve of the left upper extremity was granted a noncompensable rating effective August 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted an initial 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of October 29, 2005, and the Board finds that an effective date of this date is warranted for his TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis had its onset in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic lumbar strain has been granted, with a current effective date of November 26, 2007. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for this disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus and any related foot disorders. The AOJ will then re-adjudicate the claim.