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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to assess the current severity of his left shoulder disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for pes planus and remanded it for further development. The issue is now before the AOJ for additional examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to June 25, 2009. From that date onward, he was capable of sedentary employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in October 2002. New evidence received since that decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and thus new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 12, 2005.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim is denied. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that her bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service or her service-connected knee disabilities. For her right knee disability, the Board finds no basis to grant an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 9, 2009, and grants a 60 percent rating as of that date. The Veteran's left knee disability is also rated at 60 percent since November 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and arranging for medical examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities. The issues include reopening a claim for low back disability, as well as claims for right foot, ankle, knee, and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hallux limitus/rigidus of the 1st metatarsal phalangeal joints, claimed as left foot condition with swelling and arthritis from flat feet, is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's thoracic spine, left shoulder, left knee, left ankle, right ankle/foot, eye, stomach, leg numbness, and heart disabilities are not service-connected. The psychiatric disability is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle ganglion cyst, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and headaches have been granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 10% disability rating for his headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's right leg and foot, right hip, and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations for her claimed disabilities. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), were denied by the Board. The denial is based on lack of evidence supporting the underlying claims.

The Veteran's former attorney is entitled to direct payment of $1,276.63 for services provided in connection with his dependent allowance award.

The Veteran's right and left foot plantar fasciitis with low metatarsal arch and arthritis of the MTP joint are rated at 10 percent each, but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his bilateral foot disorders has been granted, and he is now rated at the maximum schedular disability rating available. His claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected gunshot wounds.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, claimed as progressive osteoarthritis to the subtalar joint, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his current condition was aggravated by training in combat boots during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted as of December 23, 2009. The Board also dismissed all other claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal during his February 2018 hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for plantar warts, bilateral foot disability (DJD), right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability. However, it remains unclear whether these conditions are related to military service.