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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his initial compensable rating for pes planus prior to June 3, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent from that date was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, degenerative joint disease of the first toe metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, and right foot hallux valgus, is found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus pre-existed service and did not worsen beyond its natural progression during active duty, thus denying service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for various disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and gout and arthritis of multiple joints to obtain additional VA examinations and opinions. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the referred petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and GERD are all service-connected. The pes planus is presumed to have been incurred in service based on the evidence of record. Cerumen impaction was also found to be incurred during service.

The Board has determined that additional VA and private treatment records are needed, as well as another examination for the Veteran's right ankle strain, right and left foot disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain these records and examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left ankle and foot disabilities, have resulted in a combined evaluation of 80 percent. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, diagnosed as chronic plantar fasciitis, is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service. The Board finds that the preexisting condition did not worsen in service.,Service connection for a chronic GI disorder, including GERD, diverticulosis, and an esophageal stricture, is denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service and none are linked to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to military noise exposure. The Board also finds that service connection for a bilateral foot disability, neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities secondary to cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disorder (pes planus) has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection is denied for a right knee disorder, as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational background, and grants a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as left knee injury, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination by a podiatrist to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetic foot ulcers. The issues include service connection for diabetic ulcers, increased rating for pes planus, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.