Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was denied a higher rating prior to August 25, 2016. From August 25, 2016, the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pituitary tumor was denied as there is no evidence of current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,For the period prior to July 30, 2019, the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of objective findings supporting severe flatfoot.,From July 30, 2019, the Veteran is in receipt of a 50 percent rating for his bilateral pes planus, which is the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5276.,The initial noncompensable rating assigned for hypertension was upheld as there were no blood pressure readings meeting criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bilateral eye disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as GERD and chronic gastritis), and bilateral foot disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 16, 2016 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because her Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed regarding the September 12, 2017 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide a reasoned medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and plantar fasciitis/pes planus, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or treatment. The appeal is REMANDED for further examinations to determine the severity of other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability and left below knee amputation, both claimed as secondary to end stage renal disease or hypertension. The evidence did not support the claim that these disabilities were related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus, finding that it was aggravated by a service-connected disability (peripheral neuropathy).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,An effective date earlier than October 3, 2012, is denied for an increased rating of pes planus with fasciitis and painful nodule.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder or arm disability, left knee or leg disability, right knee or leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 30, 2018 to November 28, 2018. His claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded and his temporary total rating based on hospital treatment in excess of 21 days for left knee disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable and that referral of the case to the Director of C&P for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating was not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.,Regarding the secondary service connection claim for a bilateral knee disability, the Board found insufficient evidence linking the knee disability to the claimed in-service injury. The Board also noted that there was no service-connected disease or injury from which the current knee disability could be considered secondary.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bladder disorder is not related to active service and denied his claim for service connection. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 20 percent since October 19, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Veteran was currently assigned a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for pes planus and TDIU was denied. The appeal is based on the current disability ratings assigned.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10% rating, but no greater. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and foot discoloration.