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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis resulted in a 30 percent rating effective March 4, 2015. The condition was not rated higher due to the absence of more severe symptoms such as marked deformity or swelling.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis was granted a 50% rating since September 29, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 10% prior to November 4, 2015 and at 30% from that date. The Board finds the current ratings are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's initial ratings for residuals of left ankle sprain and bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs have been granted at a 10% level.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and readjudicating the issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's right foot disability, diagnosed as recurrent neuromas of the right foot, status post surgical excisions, and status post bunionectomy, initially manifested in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA medical opinion to address the etiology of his left foot and ankle disability, including pes planus. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for callosities of both feet is being remanded due to the need for a new examination. Additionally, service connection claims for various foot conditions are also being remanded.

The Veteran's DJD of the bilateral feet with pes planus and plantar fasciitis has been rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2008. The Board found that his symptoms do not more nearly approximate pronounced symptoms like marked pronation, inward displacement, and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon on manipulation.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not increase in severity during his active duty service and were not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her bilateral foot condition was granted effective June 5, 2008. She is currently receiving a 10 percent rating for radiculopathy pain of the right lower extremity, to include hip pain.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for plantar wart, right foot was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disability (sleep apnea) are pending. The Veteran's request to reopen his left foot disability claim is granted due to the submission of new evidence that establishes a fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left foot disability is not related to his military service and therefore denies both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pes cavus has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of pes cavus, and the symptoms present are more consistent with other diagnoses such as pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA orthopedic examination to correct deficiencies in the current cervical spine evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left foot disability characterized as a calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show pronounced symptoms such as marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, or severe spasm of the tendo-achillis on manipulation that is not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances required for a higher rating under DC 5276. The appeal for TDIU was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left foot disability was not caused or aggravated by his service, and specifically denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant (through his authorized representative) has withdrawn the appeal for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death.