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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not permanently increase in severity during service, and there is no current evidence of a knee disability related to service. The claim for bilateral knee disability must be denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled hearings and the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection, rating increases, and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim. Separate ratings for neuropathy in both feet are terminated as they are effectively overlapping with the rating for pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's flat feet (bilateral pes planus) based on a current disability that began during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg and bilateral foot disabilities pre-existed his military service and were not aggravated by it. The VA examiner concluded that the atrophy of the left lower extremity and flat feet did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The issue of an extraschedular disability rating for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% from August 21, 2015. The bilateral foot disability and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing and issuing a statement of the case on increased rating and earlier effective date issues.

The Veteran's bilateral knee strains and stress fractures of the heels have been granted service connection, with a 10 percent disability rating for each foot. The right knee strain is rated at 10 percent since discharge from service, while left knee strain remains noncompensable. Stress fractures of both heels are currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 8, 2009 and the Veteran has not required assistive devices.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his left foot pes planus is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also has service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. His skin disorder claim was reopened but not granted. He is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and ED, as well as a right third toe condition and foot condition. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence rather than secondary or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been granted service connection. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia was increased to 30 percent but the appeal is denied for a higher rating. Service connection for skin disability (tinea pedis of the feet, dermatitis and eczema of hands and arms) has been granted but not at a higher than 10 percent level.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further adjudication as the combined rating percentage requirement of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) is not met, and the issue should be referred to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of the Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and unclear medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right foot disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his periods of active duty service and VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability and remanded it for further development, including obtaining additional STRs and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by pronounced flatfoot with marked pronation and extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces, which significantly impacts his ability to stand and walk. The disability meets the criteria for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service. The case will be adjudicated on a direct basis as no presumption or secondary theory applies.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's sleep disorder and GSW residuals. The issues of service connection for a sleep disorder and an increased rating for GSW residuals are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is attributable to service and grants his claim for service connection.