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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's continuous symptoms since service support her contention that her current bilateral foot disabilities had their onset in service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his in-service neck injury and granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a current hip or thigh disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,There is no evidence of a current groin disorder (including inguinal hernia and epididymitis), and thus service connection for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted on his service entrance examination and did not increase in severity during service, so service connection is denied. His arthritis of the feet is also denied as it did not manifest within one year after service or to a compensable degree.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied because there is no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis is denied as it manifested many years after service and is not related to his in-service knee injury. Similarly, the right knee arthritis is also denied.,reasoning for decision_summary_1

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a grant of automobile or adaptive equipment, as they do not cause permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, nor does his vision impairment qualify him under the statutory criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining relevant records. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a left foot disability are also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (COPD), hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, right leg disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and/or insufficient evidence to establish a link between them and service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for her service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and left lower leg tendonitis is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her attorney prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, pes planus, hepatitis C, and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeals as they are no longer in contention.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition. The claim of service connection for prostate cancer is reopened, but further development is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been rated at the maximum schedular rating available, and thus no higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations for his left foot and left ankle disabilities, and all outstanding treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left foot plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia was denied. The appeal is also denied as the Veteran does not meet criteria for an increased rating since May 12, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for the right elbow and increased ratings for the neck. The Veteran's appeal of hearing loss is denied as his puretone thresholds do not meet VA criteria for a disability. The claims for increased ratings for the right shoulder and feet, as well as sinusitis with headaches, are remanded due to lack of proper procedural steps.

The Board has determined that there are missing private and VA outpatient treatment records pertinent to the Veteran's claims. The case is REMANDED for obtaining these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, is not related to his in-service Achilles tendonitis. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left foot metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hand tremors, headaches, extreme fatigue, and hiatal hernia are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet and keratosis did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not shown to be causally related to his military service.