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

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and a skin disorder, to include eczema, have been reopened. The sinus disorder claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition during or immediately preceding the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted, while his claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, is also granted. The issue of aggravation of bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for bilateral ingrown toenails and pes planus have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fibromatosis is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as a residual of an in-service cold injury. The issue of service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, to include as secondary to service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened and is granted. The claims for an initial compensable rating for left lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have preexisted service and not been aggravated by service. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board concluded that there is no evidence of a stressor in service sufficient to cause PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, left foot disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to post-service events rather than military service.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including rhinitis with itchy throat and pharyngitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to unclear evidence regarding her Reserve Service with periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disorder and granted a 10 percent initial disability rating for the right foot plantar fasciitis from January 19, 2011 to October 2, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, asbestos exposure and Gulf War hazards, and a compensable rating for hemolytic anemia. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of medical records, requiring further evaluation by a podiatry specialist.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for pes planus and increased disability ratings for other conditions. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was not properly reduced to noncompensable because of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no evidence of a link between her current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities or any in-service exposure to herbicides caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, bilateral plantar calcaneal spurring, pes planus, hallux valgus, sleep apnea, hypertension, right upper extremity neurological disability, and left upper extremity neurological disability as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine spondylolysis. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records, including VA treatment records and Workman's Compensation records, and provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hammer toes, finding that the preexisting conditions were permanently aggravated by active duty.