Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was evaluated as mild prior to July 27, 2012 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus.,For his left and right knee disabilities, the Veteran's claim was denied due to lack of service connection as they were not linked to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral heel disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the right shoulder degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to insufficient evidence of treatment records from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California and Honolulu VA hospital. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of his left hand fracture and any foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hammertoes, bilateral pes planus (flat foot), rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of a traumatic brain injury with a cognitive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, and for migraine headaches. The appeal concerning an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot pes planus is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle instability, left ankle instability, and bilateral pes planus with bilateral calcaneal spurs contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death. The Board finds that these conditions alone are sufficient for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1310.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and restless leg syndrome have been granted. The claim for a compensable rating for left foot plantar fasciitis is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative chronic diarrhea is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 30 percent, and no higher.,For the period prior to May 1, 2014, his bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent. From May 1, 2014, it has been rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's right foot bunionectomy is attributable to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and the claim for service connection has been granted. The issues of an increased rating for bilateral pes planus prior to January 8, 2015, and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation because of treatment for a service-connected left foot condition requiring convalescence are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of his GERD evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent is granted, and he is entitled to a restoration of the 30 percent rating. The issue of the appropriate effective date for this reduction is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the reduction. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow disability, bilateral pes planus, bilateral hallux valgus with bunions, and toenail disability are related to his military service.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia as of October 7, 2013. The decision also addressed right foot hammertoes and left foot hammertoes, granting noncompensable evaluations effective September 9, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only, as she does not have ankylosis of one or both knees or hips, nor does she have actual remaining function in her left foot that could be accomplished equally well by an amputation stump with prosthesis.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was initially granted service connection and rated noncompensable prior to April 21, 2015. From April 21, 2015, the Veteran is entitled to a 10% disability rating for her bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), high cholesterol, hernia, basal cell cancer, purpura of the distal forearms, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, bilateral eye disability, emphysema and pneumonia, and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are all denied as not related to service.,A compensable initial rating for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss and bilateral chronic plantar keratosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for the bilateral foot disability has been granted, effective March 5, 2013.,For his left knee disability, the appeal is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion.