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

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability, and heart disorder are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show a current disability for VA purposes or any link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's current bilateral foot and right hand disabilities and his active duty service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and incomplete record, including VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected flat feet disability did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 80%, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are found to be service-connected, including significant problems remembering visual images in short term memory. Service connection is also granted for bilateral flat feet and a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine DJD with mild levoscoliosis and strain are not service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran did not meet the burden of establishing an increase in disability beyond its natural progression during service, thus denying his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the Board found that his conditions did not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and he did not meet the criteria for service connection on any of the other issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the aggravation of the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions by service, and to obtain any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues regarding an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a right shoulder/neck disorder. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent, and no higher, for bilateral pes planus have been met throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle sprain and bilateral pes planus disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability and granted service connection for bilateral flat feet. The initial compensable rating for anemia (Chicago hemoglobin) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. A foot examination is also required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was aggravated during service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions are presumed to have been in sound condition at entry into service.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral pes planus was granted at a 20 percent level prior to February 16, 2017. From that date, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot callous formation disabilities have been rated as severe throughout the appeal period, warranting a 30 percent rating for each foot since April 1, 2010.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, but has not been afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions. The case is REMANDED for such examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of issues related to his service-connected left foot condition and other foot diagnoses. The case will be returned for further adjudication.