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

The Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied service connection for his right ankle strain.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral pes planus was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 50% has been assigned since July 19, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings in the May 2017 VA examination report and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his left wrist and arm, left ankle, left heel, and right foot disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding private medical records, which need to be obtained for a proper evaluation of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's deviated septum was acquired during his second period of active service, and the Board affords the benefit of doubt in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and left foot disabilities as they are at least as likely as not due to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of either hand or foot, and his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus and hallux valgus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The preexisting condition of pes planus was noted at entry into service but not during active duty, and the Board concluded that aggravation by service could not be established.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent throughout the appeal period. Service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot disability began during his military service and granted service connection for it.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his major depressive disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim for asthma. The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability as defined by VA regulations. Service connection for a right finger disability and a bilateral foot disability were also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with secondary metatarsalgia, abnormal callosity has been rated at 30 percent from June 29, 2010 to September 6, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, while his right ear hearing loss and bilateral foot disability are not. GERD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and nephrolithiasis have been granted increased disability ratings, with the bilateral pes planus receiving a 10% rating prior to April 16, 2010, and a 30% rating since then. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis has also received an increased disability rating of 30%.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for other conditions. Additional development is needed to obtain complete STRs and SPRs, conduct a VA examination, and provide the Veteran with an SOC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.