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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a back disorder.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs and right foot bursitis are rated at 10 percent, but no greater. The Veteran's right and left hallux valgus do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The September 2008 and May 2010 rating decisions denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and gout respectively. The Veteran's claims have been reopened but not substantiated.,New evidence submitted in May 2011 includes a VA examination report indicating that the Veteran developed bilateral plantar fasciitis from military service. This new evidence relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current hallux valgus and arthritis conditions were not caused by carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on the part of VA during her July 2008 lapidus bunionectomy. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of causation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and left eye pterygium, finding that new evidence received since the April 2004 denial supports these claims. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) due to the mild nature of the condition, which is relieved by orthotics.,For right hammer toes, the Veteran has partial involvement affecting the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes on each foot. The current rating of 0 percent is appropriate given that not all toes are affected.,Left hammer toes involve only the 4th and 5th toes, which also warrant a noncompensable (0 percent) rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, effective October 4, 2013. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation using the rating criteria for clawfoot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back pain and a left ankle condition, finding new and material evidence. The bilateral foot disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or for being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

For the initial rating period from June 19, 2009 to December 1, 2014, the Veteran was granted a noncompensable (zero percent) disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.,For the initial rating period beginning December 1, 2014, the Veteran was granted a compensable (30 percent) disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for depression, a compensable initial rating for bilateral eye disability (photophobia), service connection for a skin disability of the left hand, and service connection for a right foot disability are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and arthritis is not shown to have been manifested within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including hallux rigidus, Haglund's deformity, hammertoes, and arthritis, did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation. The Veteran's current symptoms are more likely related to his military service than to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus was aggravated during active service, and thus granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for the bilateral hip disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability, to include bone spurs, is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, spondylosis of the spine, and bilateral hydroceles and epidermal cysts. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a 30 percent disability rating since March 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the appellant's periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this additional development.