Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and kidney disability, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's left foot disability. The effective date for the 30 percent rating for the left foot disability was also denied.,There is no evidence showing an ascertainable increase in severity of the left foot disability within one year prior to the February 12, 2013 claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gout affecting his ankles and knees, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbosacral degenerative discogenic disease, hypertension, eczema, left occipital neuralgia, plantar fasciitis of the left heel, osteoarthritis of the left first metatarsophalangeal joint, right thumb residual fracture fragmentation, internal hemorrhoids, and status post neoplasm excisions of the large intestine, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current foot disability and his military service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected status post circumcision with residual frenular tension with pain, as the condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating more than 10 percent for left foot arthritis, service connection for bilateral pes planus, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). These issues require additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has restored the prior ratings for bilateral pes planus and knee strains as they found that there was no material improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, thus finding the reduction improper.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and 38 U.S.C. § 1151 benefits are remanded due to the need for clarification of the relationship between his lithium use and the occurrence of his claimed symptoms, as well as a determination on the propriety of the use of lithium in this particular case.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, and right knee tendonitis/tendinosis have been granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent each effective January 8, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service. The Board also found that his right ankle disability did not cause or aggravate his bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability, including hallux valgus, finding no in-service event or disease that caused the condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was evaluated as not warranting a higher rating prior to November 8, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder was evaluated as not warranting a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral recurrent plantar callouses is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, neck, and bilateral foot disabilities did not occur or are not related to service.,For his left knee disability, there is no evidence of a current disability in service records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of left leg and foot injury is denied as there are no other disabling effects not considered in the ratings provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition and whether to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine condition is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition (plantar fasciitis) and cervical spine condition (claimed as C3 and C4 disc herniation with mild central stenosis) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any marked deformity, inward displacement of the tendo achilles on manipulation, or swelling on use and characteristic callosities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for a separate rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and 10 percent ratings each for left foot hallux valgus and right foot hallux valgus, effective January 29, 2010.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraines has been reopened and granted. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and plantar fasciitis are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for cervical spine condition, lower back condition, pes planus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all denied due to lack of current diagnoses or causal relationship to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s right wrist tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis have not resulted in functional limitations that warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's left foot and ankle disorder, specifically addressing his in-service injuries.