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

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and pes planus, as well as a claim to reopen service connection for Hepatitis C. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and right ankle degenerative joint disease was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 13, 2011, or in excess of 20 percent after that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection. The Veteran's left foot condition to include plantar fasciitis and his left shoulder disability were not addressed due to lack of appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including valvular heart disease with mitral stenosis, right knee replacement, degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected tender scar, left foot, status-post plantar wart removal with subsequent removal of painful scar tissue is rated at 30 percent, which constitutes a full grant of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since July 21, 2015. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective July 21, 2015.,Both conditions have remained stable and continue to be rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot and shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and recurrent STD residuals. The VA examinations will determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot disability, including status post left heel fracture with plantar fasciitis and left ankle DJD, has been rated at 20 percent since April 28, 2006. The Board found that the evidence supports a rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and disability of the skin of the feet, to include tinea pedis (jungle rot). The VA examinations did not address all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with recurrent subluxation. The claims of service connection for a left foot disability and right foot disability were denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a skin condition (tinea pedis) or any other foot disability, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's preexisting mild pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and the arthritis found at the time of the August 2014 VA examination is considered to be a natural progression of the preexisting pes planus.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for a bilateral foot disability or low back disability, as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a bilateral foot disorder (including plantar fasciitis and pes planus), and a back disorder. The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection. However, there is no evidence of aggravation of pes planus by service, and thus service connection for pes planus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for service connection for a left varicocele. The Board found that he had bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his pes planus service connection was granted, and the Board found that the evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. Service connection for pes planus is now granted.,Regarding the low back condition secondary to pes planus, the Board found that the Veteran's low back condition was aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.