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

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder. Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus and back disorder as secondary to bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and a temporary total evaluation following right foot surgery are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional development of her medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.,His tinea pedis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The appeal for TDIU on or after December 6, 2017 has been dismissed as the Veteran was awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) at that date.

The Veteran's right knee and bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus (secondary to PTSD), hypertension (secondary to PTSD), asthma, and a right foot disability were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left ankle fracture was granted with a 10% rating effective July 31, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective March 26, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 26, 2014 was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left heel spur, right heel spur, right plantar fasciitis, and left ear hearing loss due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide information about any treatment providers who have provided care related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left foot disability, migraine headaches, PTSD, GAD, acid reflux, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction, PFB, scar of the dorsal surface of the left foot, and painful scar of the left foot are all service connected. The Veteran is granted an initial rating of at least 30 percent for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.,Specifically, the Veteran’s left wrist fracture with residual sprain does not show ankylosis. His lumbar spine disability is not manifested by ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The right knee and left knee degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease are rated at 10% each.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability (flat feet and plantar fasciitis), and psoriasis due to new evidence obtained after the March 2009 rating decision. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including foot disability, toe numbness and tingling, hypertension, chronic edema, erectile dysfunction, left leg neuropathy, and depression. The VA will obtain his treatment records from 1970 to 2000, schedule him for examinations, and provide medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left foot disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is now rated at 50 percent from January 23, 2017, and the issues of service connection for left shoulder condition and cervical spine condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion evidence and the need for additional examination. The Veteran's left leg and foot disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not result in loss of use of the feet, as defined by VA regulations. The Board finds that his functional impairment is not so severe that it would be equally well served by an amputation with prosthetic appliance.,The Veteran has maintained significant function and movement in his feet despite complaints of pain and instability. He can still walk and stand for short periods.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold weather injury and bilateral foot disability (hallux valgus) as there is no current disability due to an in-service cold injury, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current bilateral foot disorder began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of left foot navicular stress fractures is granted. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, minimal lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and disc bulge L4-5, right hip disability, residuals of a left hip stress fracture, bilateral lower extremity plantar nerve mixed neuropathy, fibromyalgia, left foot hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy and osteotomy, and right foot hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy and osteotomy are all remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including arthritis, chronic strain, status post repair, and residuals of fracture, is granted as service connected.,Bilateral plantar fasciitis was also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted, but her migraine headaches and heart disorder are remanded for further examination. Her stress urinary incontinence and herpes simplex virus (HSV) and herpes zoster are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his preexisting condition did not increase in severity during his active duty.