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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a foot disability other than bilateral forefoot arthritis, bilateral hallux valgus, a left second toe scar, and pes cavus with hammer toes, metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs.

The Board has determined that the July 2009 rating decision is not final with respect to the hypertension claim due to newly associated service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and multiple sclerosis are remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability, effective May 19, 2015. The Veteran was previously rated at 10 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of left wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims in November 2015. The right hand disability (diagnosed as degenerative joint disease) has been granted service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim, including obtaining employment information and a VA examination to assess his occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right foot disability, including heel spur with plantar fasciitis, is attributable to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral foot disability related to service, including frostbite. The calcaneal spurs and plantar fasciitis are not considered related to cold weather exposure or his service-connected knee disability.

The Board has decided the case requires additional development due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's right foot disability, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Neuropathic Pain. The claim is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for an orthopedic right foot disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for scarring on his feet has also been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is found to be etiologically related to service, and he is granted service connection for that condition.,There is no current diagnosis of a rectal injury or residuals thereof. The Veteran's claim for this issue is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently-diagnosed bilateral pes planus was not incurred in or related to service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was not aggravated by active duty, as there is no evidence that it worsened during service. For his left knee disability, the VA examiner found no aggravation due to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine disability have been granted increased ratings, with the highest available rating for pes planus since April 18, 2016. Separate ratings were assigned for neurological manifestations of the lower extremities (right and left), and a separate rating was also assigned for neurogenic bladder.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, plantar fasciitis, and coronary artery disease status post angioplasty with stent. Service connection was not established for a back disability or for the heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and for further examination regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus. However, due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss, a new medical opinion is needed to determine whether it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, hypertension, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD. The claim for alcoholism due to an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, which were noted at entrance into active service, underwent a permanent worsening beyond normal progression during service. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right tibia fracture with bilateral shin splints, right and left pes planus, and tinea cruris have been rated appropriately. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for these conditions.