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

The Board finds that additional development is needed before the claims for higher evaluations can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran has submitted new evidence since the March 2015 Statement of the Case, and this evidence must be considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a right ankle disability, back disability, bilateral hip disability, right leg disability, left ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and left eye disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, left hip disability, right hip disability, left total knee replacement, and right total knee replacement are all service-connected due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions during military service.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted service connection as it began during active duty. The Board found the Veteran's testimony credible regarding his in-service head injury and right eye injury, but further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, right hallux valgus, left ankle degenerative joint disease, and dermatitis (NOS), render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment since December 19, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot. The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is found to be related to injuries sustained during active service, while his current right foot pain is not considered to be related to any aspect of service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his acquired psychiatric condition, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, thoracic/lumbar spine disability, shoulder and knee disabilities, pes planus, eye disabilities, migraine headaches, acid reflux, pseudofolliculitis (PFB), hemorrhoids, pulmonary conditions, including COPD, and Meniere’s disease. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during service or is related to service.,A 30 percent rating for bilateral flat feet, but no higher, has been granted since September 1, 2017. The preponderance of the evidence supports this decision.,The Veteran's PFB was increased from a noncompensable rating to a 10 percent rating effective September 1, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 10 percent since June 10, 1972 and now receives a 50 percent rating effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's foot disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, midfoot arthrosis, and PTTD, are being evaluated based on their relation to his active service.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiomyopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.,PTSD is granted with a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus is granted a 30 percent rating, but no more. The lumbar spine disorder is denied service connection as not proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and congenital spinal stenosis, bilateral pes planus, right knee condition, left knee condition, and right wrist condition (dominant) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology and no VA examiner having provided an opinion on all issues. The Veteran's reported in-service injuries are also under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability has been reopened and granted. The claims for left knee and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left arm disability are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury to both wrists with Raynaud's phenomenon have been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from August 6, 2012. The increased rating for plantar fasciitis and degenerative joint disease of the right heel and fifth metatarsal has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Bilateral Pes Planus, and Chondrocalcinosis of the Left Knee, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerosis and assigned a 10% rating from March 8, 2013 to March 15, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, conjunctivitis, and retinopathy are not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further development is needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.