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

The Board denied the reopening of claims for left eye conjunctivitis, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for a right knee/leg disability is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, heel spurs, pes planus, and hallux valgus, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of the right hip, right leg, right foot, left hip, and right knee did not result from service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to service.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for bilateral pes planus with hallux rigidus, status post, arthroplasty of the right foot digits 2 through 5 and hammer toes 2-4, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus status post bunionectomy and prosthesis of the left have been denied.,The Veteran's increased disability rating for bilateral pes planus has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to increased ratings for a left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss prior to August 4, 2017 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent prior to February 12, 2015. From February 12, 2015, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent evaluation for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, neurological disabilities of bilateral upper extremities, left hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and left foot disability as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral acquired pes planus was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The Veteran's left foot hammer toe was also denied service connection as it is not related to service or his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service foot pain and hearing impairment need to be considered, as well as his wife's testimony.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, back disorder, GERD, hypertension, right knee disability, and pes planus. The appeals are pending as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis and left foot hallux valgus. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for these conditions, but also wants a separate disability rating for his left ankle limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as updated vocational rehabilitation counseling records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was dismissed.,Claims for service connection for plantar fascitis of the right and left lower extremities, arthritis, severe joint pain, and tinnitus were all dismissed.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 30 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for his left ankle limitation of motion is granted. The Veteran seeks an increased rating but the Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current disability levels and etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of pes planus and psychiatric disabilities, as well as eligibility for nonservice-connected pension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine if his gout and dystrophic toenails are related to service, specifically exposure to chemicals during active duty.

The Board finds that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability, including new VA treatment records from May 2018.