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

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, pes planus, and fibromyalgia were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to address the likely etiology of his left foot disability, including whether it is related to service or herbicide exposure. The case will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, right ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left shoulder and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and left knee disability are not service-connected, as they did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as aggravated by service-connected PTSD and asthma, but denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her service treatment records and verifying her periods of active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Achilles tendonitis, finding that it had its onset during his period of active service. The claims for a left shoulder disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur resulted in severe flat foot symptoms, including inflammation, tenderness along the arches, degenerative arthritis, flattening of the arch, pain with use, decreased arch height, pronation deformity of the left foot improved by orthotics, weight bearing line falling over the medial or great toe, inward bowing of the Achilles tendon, and mild to moderate symptoms of hallux valgus. The criteria for an initial rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5276 have been met.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50 percent effective May 23, 2017. His coronary artery disease with a history of myocardial infarction is currently rated at 100 percent due to his TDIU status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's right foot conditions, including osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia, are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spondylolisthesis with spondylolysis and degenerative changes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bunions, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraines and tension headaches, hypertension, a skin disability of the arms and legs, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, memory loss, balance problems, infertility, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral foot disability. The reasons provided include lack of in-service onset or relationship to service, as well as failure to meet presumptive service connection criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right and left ankle or foot disabilities for which service connection can be granted. The evidence shows no disability during the pendency of his claims, with some recent complaints of pain but no diagnosis.

The Veteran's multiple sclerosis was incurred within seven years of separation from active service, and his bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis warrants a 50% disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right foot disability and psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The current rating of 10 percent for right foot disability is maintained prior to May 24, 2017, but increased to 20 percent as of that date.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left wrist disability and denied service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran has tinnitus that is at least as likely as not incurred in service, granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection was denied for bilateral plantar warts and neck disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.