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

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's flat feet, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The issues of service connection are related to whether these disabilities were aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar warts are rated at a 20 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, based on the presence of painful and unstable scars.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was rated at 50% from November 18, 2010 to July 28, 2014.,Residuals of a right shoulder rotator cuff tear were not service connected.

The Veteran's appeals for chronic fatigue syndrome and migraine headaches have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a foot disability, a digestive system condition, and other related conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary regarding the Veteran’s claims of entitlement to disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for bilateral residuals of plantar warts and tender plantar callosities. The Veteran's representative noted that the January 2017 VA examiner failed to consider or discuss relevant VA treatment records, including an October 2016 podiatry consultation which documented diagnoses of diabetes mellitus type II with neuropathy pain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral flat foot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for costochondritis, a right hip disability, and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete records. The AOJ must attempt to locate and associate the Veteran’s active duty STRs and personnel records with his claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for pes planus from December 21, 1970 to May 18, 2006 is pending and will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. Service connection for the same condition is also granted.,Service connection for left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis are all granted.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary to obtain clarification on the Veteran's claims for osteophytes, ankylosis (initially claimed as alkalosis), arthritis, callosities, and plantar fasciitis due to his service-connected hallux valgus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, neck disability as secondary to bilateral pes planus, and back disability as secondary to bilateral pes planus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he currently has any of these conditions and therefore his claims are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 10 percent rating from June 10, 2011 to April 21, 2015. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a right eye disability was denied. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus with bone spurs and degenerative joint disease is granted at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's back disorder may be related to his flat feet, but a VA opinion is needed to determine if this relationship is secondary to service. His bilateral flat feet are also under review with a need for a VA examination. For his lung condition, the Board requested additional information on asbestos exposure in service and needs further examination.

The Veteran's pre-existing left and right foot pes planus disabilities were aggravated during service, warranting service connection.,Both feet have been diagnosed with pes planus, and the Veteran has provided evidence of ongoing symptoms since childhood.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective October 13, 2017. The claims for service connection of other disabilities are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, may be related to his service-connected back disability and needs further examination to determine if it is secondary.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, right knee gout, and a right foot disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.