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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left plantar calcaneal spur is a consequence of his service-connected left plantar fasciitis and does not result in separate symptomatology. Therefore, he is not entitled to a separate disability rating for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased rating for bilateral pes planus, and increased rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome. The appeals were remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain verification of his claimed exposure to herbicides during service in Puerto Rico, and to attempt to obtain inpatient treatment records from the USAF Hospital at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico for the years 1962 and 1963. Additionally, a VA examination will be scheduled to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his lower back condition, right shoulder arthritis, migraine headaches, and periodic limb movement disorder have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. He is now presumed sound with respect to eczema of the elbows, which he developed during active duty service. His foot disability (pes planus and hallux valgus) was noted at entry into service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the reopening of his claim for a right foot disability, as well as his claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a right hand disability.

The Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are related to his service, including complaints of foot pain in service. However, the Board finds that the preexisting pes planus underwent an increase in severity during his active duty service and was not clearly and unmistakably due to the normal progression of the disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot disorder and granted increased ratings for his knee disabilities, but denied reopening of other claims. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus and bunions, were denied as there is no evidence of in-service aggravation or onset. The Board found that the pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service and are not otherwise related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected right foot disability, and for further development of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have additional right foot disability as a result of the September 17, 2010 surgery and subsequent care. The preponderance of evidence shows no causal link between the service-connected condition and any new disability.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's right knee disability is not considered to have caused or aggravated his current left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and severity of his foot disorders, including neurological abnormalities, arthritis, hammertoes, and fungus. The examination will also assess whether these conditions are related to his service-connected plantar warts.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed conditions, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee injury, bilateral lower leg injury, and bilateral hand injury. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries were not supported by medical evidence or treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's flat feet were not aggravated by service and denied his claims for service connection for acute back pain, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right knee arthralgia, left knee arthralgia, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, and tension headaches.

The Veteran's back disorder, pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are all found to be related to service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues are whether he is entitled to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and if his back disability is secondary to his foot condition.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted a 10 percent rating prior to February 23, 2017. Since then, the condition has been rated at 50 percent.