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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a right ankle disability, and a right foot disability. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh but that issue is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records, as well as providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed low back disability and left foot disability, as these claims are related to service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection will be reconsidered after the examinations.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disorder other than service-connected onychomycosis, to include pes planus. The Veteran's claimed condition was not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, acute sinusitis, and residuals of a left ear cystectomy. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Veteran's tinnitus was first documented postservice and is not shown to be related to service. The left foot disability, diagnosed as metatarsalgia, has no chronic manifestation in the service records.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left foot disability are denied.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for bilateral flat feet and is remanding the case to the RO for further development. The Veteran's testimony of having no foot problems prior to service entrance and his belief that his foot trouble began in service are considered.

The Board found no current diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis or temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 10% prior to January 6, 2012 and now warrants a 50% rating effective from that date. His degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20%. The radiculopathy in his lower extremities are each rated at 10%. These ratings reflect the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, a bilateral knee disability, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine scoliosis is considered a developmental disease for VA purposes; it manifested in service and is etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient VCAA notice provided to the Veteran.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,For his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, the Veteran has been granted a 50 percent disability rating from October 1, 2007 to July 20, 2015. The claim for an increased rating beyond this period remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors. He is also seeking an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, hallux valgus deformity of the left foot, right foot disability, bilateral glaucoma, asthma, and erectile dysfunction are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's flat feet (pes planus) is a congenital defect and not subject to service connection. The appeal for service connection for flat feet is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and private medical records. Additionally, new VA examinations are required for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service beyond its natural progression, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding his PTSD and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection, including a VA examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.