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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities due to the unduly remote nature of the October 2011 VA examination.

The Veteran's right foot disability is service connected, and his left foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (hallux valgus with arthritis and post-traumatic changes), and left knee disability (left knee arthritis) had their onset during service and are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between her current diagnoses and active duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability, pes planus, and left elbow epicondylitis. The case is REMANDED to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology and severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is not related to his period of service and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains pending, as does the secondary service connection claim for a back disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent prior to January 28, 2016 and at 70 percent from that date. The effective date for the increased rating has been set as January 28, 2016.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied.,The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for extension of a temporary total evaluation, rating in excess of 60 percent for right knee disability, and service connection for a right hip disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of her service-connected left ankle and bilateral foot disabilities, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and pes cavus, is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show an increase in severity of these conditions during service or any other factor that would support a finding of aggravation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot disability did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service, nor was it permanently aggravated by active duty. For his gastrointestinal condition, there is no clear evidence of a current disability during service or within one year post-service, and the medical opinion concluded that the condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been reopened and granted. His right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have also been granted as secondary to his now service-connected pes planus.,PTSD ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's headaches, left and right elbow disabilities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were evaluated for the period prior to July 10, 2015. The Board found that a compensable rating was not warranted for any of these conditions.,The Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as they were characterized by non-prostrating attacks and did not impact his ability to work.

The Veteran's skin disability of the feet, including calluses and plantar warts, has been rated at 20 percent since February 28, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, plantar spurs, and flat feet, were not incurred in or caused by his period of active service, to include a 1981 cold weather injury.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant in October 2017.