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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a qualifying left foot, ankle, or knee disability for service connection and denied all claims. The claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome was previously denied but new evidence received since the last denial is found to be material.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and arthritis of the bilateral hips. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities are also granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and conflicting evidence of record.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 5284. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Appellant's pes planus existed prior to his military service and was not permanently aggravated beyond normal progression during active service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals were denied in various stages, including for a right eye disability, hypertension, and PTSD. The claims for bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and left foot plantar wart were also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's foot disability, to include arthritis, is not etiologically related to his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia is rated at 10 percent since October 2007, and the cervical spine disability is granted as incurred in service. The left shoulder disability (left arm numbness) is not found to be related to service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, but denied service connection for a skin disorder and left foot disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The claim for left foot plantar fasciitis was not adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is withdrawn. The claim of service connection for left nasal septal deviation was denied as there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected, and the other conditions have not been linked to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with right plantar fasciitis and right knee patellar dislocation were granted increased ratings of 30 percent effective November 4, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat feet and chronic fasciitis were not incurred or aggravated by service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 11, 2013. The condition is not considered service-connected due to a direct relationship and no presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis has been found to more closely approximate a severe bilateral foot disability since the beginning of his claim, with symptoms including increased pronation, acquired pes cavus with hammertoes, accentuated pain on manipulation and use of the feet, tenderness, and plantar callosities. As such, he is now rated at 30% for this condition.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's small arches, plantar fasciitis, or sinus tarsi syndrome were incurred in service. The examiner concluded these conditions are not related to his hallux valgus.