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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are related to his active service, with aggravation beyond its natural progression for the pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right and left hallux valgus, and degenerative changes to the bilateral feet are rated as per their severity. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted but with specific ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and left foot conditions were granted initial compensable ratings, while her right shoulder scars and right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs received the same initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extra-schedular rating for bilateral pes planus and TDIU, finding that the schedular criteria adequately compensated her disability.

The Veteran's pes planus of the left foot prior to February 16, 2005 and bilateral pes planus effective from February 16, 2005 have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent or 30 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a throat disability and bilateral foot disability, claimed as pes planus, were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the conditions in question.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the ratings assigned for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) with facial scars on cheeks and neck, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and a left foot disability other than hallux valgus. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an initial rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's claim for right ankle disability was granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing new VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher (compensable) initial disability rating for scars on the left lower extremity from January 14, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome and arch disability were not related to his service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle condition. The conditions are considered secondary to these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and tooth and gum disability have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with fatigue, but the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, right foot disability, and right ankle injury are all related to his service. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and metatarsalgia does not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in April 2008, and the appeal is now considered as part of her reopened hypertension claim. The denial remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to new evidence received since the July 1998 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, calluses, and s/p bilateral fifth toe bunionectomies was denied as the evidence did not show signs or symptoms consistent with severe disability such as marked deformity, pain on manipulation and use, swelling, or characteristic callosities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and was unrelated to any in-service noise exposure. For flat feet, the Board noted pes planus was present at entrance but no diagnosis of flat feet was made during service. The addendum opinion will be needed to determine if the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, bilateral feet bone spurs with falling arches, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus is a congenital defect and not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine disability. The preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and current diagnoses are not otherwise related to service-connected conditions.