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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service. The claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and other conditions such as hallux valgus, sesamoiditis, hammer toes, sinus tarsi syndrome, calcaneal spurs, and osteoarthritis, is not related to service. The preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including orthopedic and neurologic manifestations, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and a right foot disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the reduction of the disability rating for pes planus with hammertoes and callosities from 50% to 20%, finding that it was not supported by evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and therefore, denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, hypothyroidism, and a bilateral shin disability during her hearing. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's right foot bunionectomy residuals are rated at 10 percent, his pes planus is rated at 30 percent prior to October 24, 2005 and 10 percent from that date, and he has a separate rating for anterior metatarsalgia since December 28, 2012. The Veteran's keloid scar of the right foot remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right calf injury, left foot disability (pes planus), and left wrist disability are not service-connected as they were either preexisting conditions or did not worsen during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, hallux valgus with plantar heel spur and arthritic changes of the first MTP joint, and hammertoe deformities, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions are considered developmental in nature.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection for bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is considered direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and hypertension on a direct basis. The current decision addresses secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation was at least 70% prior to July 28, 2015. The evidence does not show he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Board also found no evidence of a current left foot disability due to service, and concluded that any such disability is unrelated to his service-connected left lower extremity strain.

The Veteran claims service connection for bilateral heel spurs and preexisting bilateral plantar fasciitis aggravated during periods of active duty training. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not have onset during active service or within one year of discharge, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the character of the Veteran's discharge from service is not a bar to receiving VA benefits, and thus he qualifies as a 'veteran' for purposes of VA benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 28, 2014. After the remand, it was increased to 30 percent effective August 28, 2014.

The Board granted an effective date of May 7, 2008 for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendonitis. The Veteran's claim was previously denied in January 2012 but later increased to 50 percent with an effective date of November 9, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs, did not develop during service or is otherwise related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of preexisting pes planus.