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

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated during her active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a left foot disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus was denied. Service connection for a hip disability and a status post torn right posterior tibial tendon, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus, were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical examination and development due to the need for updated evidence and clarification of service connection issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and onychomycosis as the pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of information provided in his VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inability to obtain a VA examination of the Veteran's left foot disorder because he is incarcerated and prison officials will not release him for an examination. The issue of service connection for a left foot disorder is again REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, migraine headaches, and sleep disorder are all related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot and left hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there was no evidence of chronic conditions during service or within a year after discharge. The VA examiner concluded these disabilities are unrelated to his service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension have been granted. The remaining claims are pending.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and left foot disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the cause remains unknown due to conflicting dates provided by the Veteran.,Service connection is denied for vitiligo. The cause remains unknown due to conflicting dates provided by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and shoulder disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm disability, and left leg disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis has been denied as the evidence does not show that his disability is manifested by marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, or marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achilles on manipulation. The Veteran's current 30 percent rating adequately describes his disability picture.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 5, 2015, for the awards of service connection for bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as his initial Intent to File form did not specify the general benefits he sought.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability due to inadequate previous opinions.

Prior to February 9, 2016, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with right first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative disease and distorted great toe nail was rated at 10 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 50 percent.,The current rating of 50 percent is based on extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of both feet that does not improve with orthopedic shoes or appliances.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and flat foot, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's glaucoma is rated at 60 percent, PTSD at 70 percent, bilateral pes planus at 10 percent, scar of the right posterior occipital area at 10 percent, hypertension at 10 percent, and gout remains noncompensable. The appeal for increased disability evaluations has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.,The Board also granted entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity sciatica as secondary to the now service-connected low back disability. However, the claim for Achilles pain (right leg) was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which represents a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal.