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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. The right foot pes planus with hallux valgus and hammertoes is found to have been aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding his increased rating for bilateral pes planus and denied his claim of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no evidence of chronic tinnitus in service, and the preponderance of the competent evidence is against a finding of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus underwent a permanent increase in severity during service, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not undergo an increase in severity beyond its natural progression during active service, and thus, he is denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for nerve damage of the feet and adjudicating the referred issues of service connection for pes planus and new and material evidence for pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, or left foot disability. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, cervical spine, and bilateral foot disabilities are not etiologically related to his active service.

The case is REMANDED to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any pertinent private treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for appropriate VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of her lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition, claimed as flat feet, is related to his active service and service connection for this condition is granted.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease and heel spur of the right and left foot are also related to his active service and service connection for these conditions is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for scars status post left total knee replacement has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, residuals of right ankle injury, and residuals of left ankle injury. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, with the condition being presumed to have had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral foot disability and knee disability was dismissed. The claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for left foot pes planus, low back disability, or left shoulder disability. The Veteran's complaints and diagnoses were not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating prior to September 13, 2014, and from that date they did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional service records are needed and a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral flatfeet with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus have been manifested by extreme tenderness, which is improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition has not demonstrated pronounced flatfoot with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement, or severe spasm of the Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, diagnosed as plantar fibromatosis, have been rated at 30 percent since April 7, 2017. The conditions are severe enough to require custom orthotic inserts.

The Board has requested a VA expert medical opinion and is remanding the case for further development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left foot disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to personal assault during service.