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

The Veteran's service connection claims for TMJ dysfunction and cervical spine disability were denied. The claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral foot disability prior to December 15, 2017 was granted, but the claim for a higher rating from that date forward was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to January 25, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his bilateral plantar keratosis and pes planus, as well as for TDIU, are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the diagnoses. A new examination is needed to reconcile these issues.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent from January 31, 2011 to August 9, 2016. From October 1, 2016 to the present, a higher rating for his back disability is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and total disability based on individual unemployability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 2, 2014. The Board found that the earlier effective date of June 1, 2013 should be granted due to the timely filing within one year after discharge from service. For bilateral plantar fasciitis, the Veteran's claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for foot disabilities due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining medical evidence regarding whether his pre-existing conditions are congenital defects or diseases and if they were aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for left hand, right hand, left leg (other than knee) and foot disabilities, claimed as cramping, due to lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's arthritis, left shoulder disability, and other joint disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied because the Veteran did not have a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected right hallux valgus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has referred claims of entitlement to service connection for right pes planus, right hammer toes, and right hallux rigidus to the AOJ due to their inextricability with the right hallux valgus claim. Additionally, a TDIU claim is remanded pending resolution of these issues.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis with Morton’s neuroma is currently rated at 20 percent, and the right foot plantar fasciitis prior to January 27, 2017 was also rated at 10 percent. From that date, it has been rated at 30 percent. The bilateral SI joint dysfunction has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for evaluation of bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as right and left foot hallux valgus with bunions. The AOJ is instructed to review additional evidence received prior to certification and transfer of the appeals to the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of PTSD due to lack of a medical opinion linking his current foot disability or PTSD to service. The case will be returned after further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar foot warts were found to be mild in severity and granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher.

The Veteran's asthma claim is reopened, and his pes planus and left arm scar claims are denied. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues. The specific conditions at issue include bilateral pes planus and left ankle disability, which were rated under a direct service connection theory without any mention of exposure basis or the PACT Act.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, right ankle disorder, and right foot disorder. The Board also denied service connection for left knee arthritis, calcaneal spur in the left ankle, and plantar spur of the left foot as these conditions did not manifest during or within a presumptive period following service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was aggravated by his service, and he is now rated at the maximum disability rating for this condition.