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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right foot disability, left foot disability, and chronic ear infections due to inadequate VA examinations and other procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 10% rating effective August 28, 2015. An initial 30% rating for IBS is granted effective August 28, 2015. The Veteran's MDD and GAD are rated at 70%, effective March 4, 2017.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability was granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability were also granted.,Service connection for right knee disability is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including increased ratings for right foot, knee, and hip disabilities. The Veteran's left foot disability claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims and must be addressed as well.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right lower extremity disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent since February 17, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues for further examination and rating consideration.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's congenital conditions were found to have not worsened during service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral foot disability, and TMJ conditions. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, they need to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, review new evidence submitted since the last statement of the case, and consider any relevant VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability and bilateral pes planus was reopened, and the claims are granted. The left ankle, lumbar spine, and wrist disabilities as well as OSA remain denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The AOJ will obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the severity and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s tinnitus had its onset during active service and will resolve the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is a congenital defect and not incurred during service. The other diagnosed foot conditions (plantar fasciitis and heel spurs) were also determined to be unrelated to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing the Veteran became unemployable within one year prior to February 28, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus was established during service and granted service connection effective June 18, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are granted as service connected. The claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied. The left foot arthritis and amputation of the right 4th toe are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at a 10 percent rating for the period from February 1, 2010, to December 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding cervical strain, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis has been dismissed due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining claims for pes planus (left foot), pes planus (right foot), and bilateral tinea pedis are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, right knee condition, and left knee condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interdependence with the other issues.