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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 17, 2012. Service connection for a heart disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations and opinions are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's plantar warts bilateral feet are currently rated at a 10% disability rating from November 21, 2013 to June 24, 2015 and at a 20% disability rating since September 30, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left carpel tunnel syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were not caused or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorders of pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as a bilateral ankle disorder of equinus of the ankles. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of right bunionectomy with pre-dislocation syndrome, right 2nd metatarsal head was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 9, 2015 and from March 1, 2016. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left heel plantar fasciitis disability was also denied.,The Board found no evidence showing the Veteran had any exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation or Gulf War conditions that could have caused his foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining outstanding service treatment records and VA examination opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot disorders are related to service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer from September 1, 2011. The appeal for higher ratings and TDIU are denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 17, 2015. The claim for bilateral flat feet and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis of the first MTP joints, metatarsalgia and callosities have been rated at 30 percent since February 1979. The appeal is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and frequent headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to determine the etiology of his abdominal hernia, varicose veins, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of shingles, pes planus, and a back disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran demonstrated a compensable degree of hypertension within one year of his separation from service, and that he has residuals of shingles as a result of his service. Service connection was also granted for pes planus and a back disability, but additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to any period of active duty, ADSW, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his foot disability, erectile dysfunction, and back disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was improperly reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable, and the Board has restored a 10 percent rating for this condition. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.