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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as they do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right foot disability, status post bunionectomy, was manifested by decreased sensation to light touch and use of orthotic inserts. The scar from the surgery was no bigger than 6 centimeters by .3 centimeters with decreased sensation but no pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disability and right femur disability with leg shortening. The Veteran seeks higher ratings, but the evidence does not support a finding that he meets or nearly approximates the criteria for any of the higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service records and verifying periods of active duty. He also needs to be scheduled for a VA examination regarding his foot disability.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for various disabilities, including those related to the lumbar spine, knees, erectile dysfunction, feet, and a creative organ. The appeals are dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine, lumbar spine, loss of teeth, right foot, and left foot disabilities are all granted. The diagnoses were found to have onset during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current sleep apnea is related to service or a service-connected disability. His posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70% since August 11, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral pes planus disability, a bilateral leg disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation of preexisting pes planus during service, no current diagnosis or link to service for the claimed bilateral leg disability, and no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for GERD and bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD or a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions and records, as well as to address the issues of service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion regarding his claims for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for various disabilities, and other issues on appeal. The AOJ will also attempt to obtain any outstanding treatment records from the Darnall Army Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus and lumbar spine arthritis pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service, thus denying claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated during active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his current disability picture.

The Veteran's right foot disability, characterized by plantar condylectomy, plantar callus, hallux valgus, and metatarsalgia to the second and fourth metatarsal-phalangeal joints (MTPJs), is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms of pain, numbness, use of a cane, use of arch supports, instability, disturbance of locomotion, and lack of endurance.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as the previous examinations are inadequate.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding records and remands from previous decisions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability and right knee disability are not related to his active service.,VA examinations have been conducted, and the medical evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.