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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a higher rating for his bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the additional evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating her claim, but did not address the merits of the case.

The Board denied service connection for left heel bone spur and right heel, bone spur with plantar fascitis as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are rated at 30 percent beginning May 8, 2011. The Veteran does not have service connection for these conditions based on a presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PFB is a continuation of the same diagnosis noted in service, and thus grants service connection for PFB.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to service-connected stress fractures of the Veteran's feet. The claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected status post stress fracture, second metatarsal, left foot is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing flat feet did not permanently worsen during service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary stress incontinence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it only requires wearing absorbent materials that must be changed less than two times per day. The other service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, right eye disability, pes planus, hyper keratosis, chronic lichen simplex, and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and potential effects of his medications on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and sleep apnea are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right foot disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his October 2015 surgery. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder with intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet, have been granted increased disability ratings to reflect their current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was evaluated as mild prior to July 27, 2012 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus.,For his left and right knee disabilities, the Veteran's claim was denied due to lack of service connection as they were not linked to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral heel disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the right shoulder degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to insufficient evidence of treatment records from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California and Honolulu VA hospital. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of his left hand fracture and any foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hammertoes, bilateral pes planus (flat foot), rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.