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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by her military service, warranting service connection. The Veteran does not currently have diagnosed bilateral otitis media or otitis externa. For sinusitis, a non-compensable evaluation prior to June 1, 2017 and a 10% evaluation since then were granted.

The Veteran's non-specific headaches were not found to be service-connected as they clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his period of active duty service, and clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrated that the disability was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his left knee and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a permanent increase in the severity or symptoms of the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus disability during his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and tinea pedis were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in his VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board denied service connection for an upper back disability and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's upper back condition is not etiologically related to service, while his pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but his mumps residuals and pes planus do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), and lumbar spine disorders, all secondary to his service-connected pes planus disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities (left and right plantar fasciitis) have been rated at 20 percent each since October 15, 2010. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate based on the severity of symptoms experienced by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted at a 20% rating prior to September 20, 2016. After that date, the claim for an increased rating was denied. The Veteran also has noncompensable radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of her claim for increased disability ratings for pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, including the newly granted service connection for right and left hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 21, 2011 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his bilateral foot disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has been rated at 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus (claimed as bunions) is denied. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not undergo a chronic increase in severity during service, and there is no evidence of any inservice injury or aggravation. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include pes planus, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chorioretinal scar with floaters was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an enlarged spleen and a bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The remaining issues regarding cervical spine and hip disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease of the feet. The AOJ should also associate any outstanding VA treatment records and amend the next supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any foot or left shoulder disability found to be present.