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

The Veteran withdrew his claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder condition, and right plantar condition prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his period of ACDUTRA and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches was received on October 27, 2014. The effective date of the increase is set at that time.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was received on January 16, 2013. The effective date of the increase is set at that time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and residuals, fracture, right little finger. The claim for service connection was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further VA examination and opinions regarding his claimed bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities. The issues on appeal are related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot disability cannot be granted as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to active service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current degenerative joint disease or porokeratosis of the right foot are related to his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right foot and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as there are outstanding VA treatment records and examinations that have not been associated with the claims file.,The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae will be remanded to determine if he has a current diagnosis of this condition, and whether it is related to his military service.,The Veteran's right knee disability, left foot disability, residuals of cold injury of the right hand, and residuals of cold injury of the left hand will be remanded for an examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for plantar fasciitis of the right foot will be remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.,The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of cold injury of the right hand and left hand will be remanded for an examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for plantar fasciitis of the right foot will be remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's left knee lateral meniscal tear is granted service connection.,For the period from September 21, 2010 to May 27, 2015, a 10 percent rating for right foot pes planus with metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and arthritis is granted. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for metatarsalgia of the right foot.,Effective May 27, 2015, a 30 percent rating for right foot pes planus with hallux valgus and arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, as moderate disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is found to have had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not aggravated during service and is not shown to have been aggravated by any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for bilateral pes planus cannot be established.

The Veteran's GERD has not been manifested by any symptoms, and he does not have a right foot disability attributable to service.,The Veteran's right foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was rated as 10 percent disabling from April 18, 2005 to August 23, 2010, and as 50 percent thereafter. The Board found the disability picture prior to August 23, 2010 most nearly approximated a 30 percent rating.

The Board is unable to determine the exact cause of the Veteran's service-connected heart disorder, but it has permanently progressed at an abnormally high rate due to his major depressive disorder and lumbar strain with arthritis. The right shoulder disorder, left knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis of the right knee, bilateral venous insufficiency, and bilateral foot disorder are all found to be related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus (Type II), have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and her military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected left foot disability will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar warts with intractable keratosis of the left foot is rated as a noncompensable disability. The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for this condition, effective June 9, 2010.