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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs further development, including a new VA examination for right foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, single episode, are denied as there is no evidence of improvement in the conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a stroke. The evidence does not support finding that any current foot or hand conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability and remanded the claims of left knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities, pes planus, and Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hip disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral flat feet, bilateral eye disability (claimed as due to blunt trauma), and skin disability (pseudofolliculitis barbae).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hand, foot, and skin disabilities due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The VA is instructed to obtain all outstanding records and schedule a VA examination to address the Veteran's reported symptoms and diagnoses.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's left foot condition, right foot condition, and right leg condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 30 percent disabling from August 31, 2016. A higher rating would require loss of use of the foot.,The Veteran was previously rated at 20 percent from July 1, 2013 to August 31, 2016 and is now rated at 30 percent for this period. The Board finds that a 30 percent rating is appropriate based on severe symptoms during this time.,Prior to July 1, 2013, the Veteran's disability was rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not show more than moderate symptoms prior to this date.,The Veteran's foot disability has been considered under the schedular criteria and no extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding no causal relationship to service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction, as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent since April 6, 2009. The left ankle scar is currently rated at 10 percent. The left torn Achilles tendon and bilateral pes planus disabilities are both rated at 10 percent. The right knee DJD is rated at 30 percent. The decision does not address the left knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar segmental dysfunction with radiculopathy and neuropathy. The appeal is pending on remand regarding the Veteran's left heel disorder.,Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence showing permanent aggravation by service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to the character of discharge under other than honorable conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right foot, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims for service connection for a right foot disability, as well as increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine conditions, are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and remanded the issues of service connection for left hip, right hip, and bilateral pes planus disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and hemorrhoids as there are no confirmed diagnoses of these conditions at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot fungal disability has been granted. The claims for right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. Service connection for psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right ear hearing loss, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis (right shoulder disability), right ankle strain, left ankle strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), left knee PFS, right elbow olecranon bursitis (right elbow disability), lumbar spine disability with Scheuermann's kyphosis (lumbar spine disability), right hip strain with limitation of extension and flexion, left hip strain with limitation of extension and flexion, bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, and tension headaches. The claims are being remanded for additional development.