Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2018

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability of right upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, but the condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right foot disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is a congenital defect and not related to military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, right foot disorder, hypertension, osteoporosis, and kidney cancer are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% disability rating for service-connected bilateral flat feet is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal increased rating claim prior to May 15, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right hip disability, to include osteoarthritis, are not service-connected as they did not develop during his active duty or due to a pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The Veteran's current conditions were more likely related to post-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on a finding that new evidence did not reopen the claim for bilateral pes planus and that there was no aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches, right knee scar, MDD, chronic cervical strain, DJD of the right knee post-repaired ACL and meniscal injury, chronic right ankle strain, and right foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis and callus of the great toe have been granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10% evaluation for his right knee scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss. The issues were also addressed regarding right shoulder, foot, hip, and leg disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left ankle/foot strain, and bilateral pes planus. Service connection was granted for low back disability (DDD with stenosis and dextroscoliosis), numbness in the left leg and foot, residuals of injury to the right leg, including hip, ankle, and foot, and residuals of injury to the left wrist, hand, and fingers.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial increased rating issues related to left elbow epicondylitis, right elbow epicondylitis, bilateral pes planus with associated plantar fasciitis, and left triceps muscle strain.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to April 16, 2015 and increased to 40% thereafter. The rating of 40% is maintained since the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted at the time of entry into active service and is presumed to have been aggravated by his military service. The Board also finds that there is reasonable doubt regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability, as well as reasonable doubt regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disability is due to or aggravated by his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current sleep apnea and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and right foot pes planus are not related to service, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability, which he contends originated during his military service. The VA medical examination found no current diagnosis of a bilateral foot condition and opined that the Veteran's bilateral foot pain was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board denied service connection for obesity, finding that it is not a compensable disability. The case was remanded to obtain an appropriate VA examination and to consider the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service or a pre-existing condition was aggravated by service. The diagnoses are found to be less likely related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right great toe disability (hallux valgus), herpes simplex virus type 2, and genital warts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied all of his claims.