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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new examination of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability. The issue of TDIU is also referred for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion on the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The other issues are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification of the severity and manifestations of the service-connected bilateral bunions with degenerative joint disease of both first metatarsophalangeal joints and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left ankle disorder (PTT insufficiency) are service-connected. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is considered a direct result of his active duty, while his PTT insufficiency is found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with fracture of the right great toe disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 23, 2010 and denied for a higher rating. Beginning October 23, 2010, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis disability has been rated at 30 percent since July 28, 2009. The current rating is the highest possible under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and a residual scar from an upper lip injury are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,There is no competent medical evidence showing the Veteran has any of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, surgical scars of the bilateral shoulders, and gouty arthropathy as secondary to service-connected nephrolithiasis were granted. The rating for surgical scars of the bilateral shoulders was increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate October 2014 medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, which is secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture residuals, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by pain, flare-ups, stiffness, weakness, swelling, Achilles tendonitis, and the varying presence of characteristic calluses and an unusual shoe-wear pattern. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the cyst of the mid back and chest pains have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, foot, knee, and thyroid disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, left foot, and left lower leg disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence. The claim for increased rating for residuals of left ankle fracture was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus prevents him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's tinnitus claim and his service-connected right foot, left hip, and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal prior to February 26, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding any other foot disabilities, including Morton's disease and a recent fracture of the left fourth toe.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection, except for a left hand disorder which was granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and as such the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.