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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there were no chronic symptoms of bilateral hearing loss during or within one year after service separation. The current bilateral hearing loss disability was not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the lack of continuous total disability rating for at least ten years prior to his death. The cause of death, rectal cancer, is not related to military service or exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with disfigured toenails has been manifested by mild symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support inserts. The applicable schedular criteria are adequate to rate this disability under consideration at all points pertinent to the appeal, and no claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to this disability has been reasonably raised.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal disability, tension headache disability, osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cervical strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, left knee orthopedic disability, left elbow nerve disability, and tinnitus, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the cervical spine are being remanded due to a failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after February 2015 examinations.

The Veteran's IBS and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection.,He is also entitled to service connection for a neurological condition related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral pes planus and Freiberg's disease, left second metatarsal were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus prior to February 1, 2013 or a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date. For Freiberg's disease, the Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus worsened during service and is related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot conditions, including calcaneal osteotomy, degenerative arthritis, and plantar heel spur, were not caused by his in-service left foot sprain. The bilateral knee replacements are also not considered secondary to any current left foot disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that it first manifested during active service. The Veteran's other claims of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board granted service connection for costochondritis and bilateral hand disability, and increased ratings for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran was also awarded a compensable rating for his hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis conditions. Service connection for the varicocele was established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specified dates for various service connection determinations. The appeals are dismissed.

Your appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference or travel board hearing. If you do not want the hearing, please inform the RO in writing.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions was denied. The only granted rating was for a 10% rating for right and left foot plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs, which approximates mild bilateral flatfoot.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 50 percent for psoriatic arthritis with bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus, right ankle psoriatic arthritis, left ankle psoriatic arthritis, and left wrist psoriatic arthritis have been dismissed.

The Veteran was granted service connection for left sacroiliitis, left knee disability, and bilateral pes planus. The initial rating of 10 percent has been granted for the left knee disability from January 4, 2006 to September 13, 2007, and for the bilateral pes planus from January 4, 2006 to February 3, 2011.,The Veteran's back disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 4, 2006. The left knee disability was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) and later increased to 10% effective September 13, 2007. The bilateral pes planus was also initially rated at noncompensable (0%), but increased to 10% effective February 3, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis does not warrant referral to the Director of Compensation Services for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, with residuals of surgeries in 2008 and 2010, is currently rated at 50% since September 11, 2013. The rating is granted as the evidence shows marked deformity, pain on use, swelling, and characteristic calluses.