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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot and right hand conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis are met.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic cough and assigned a 20 percent rating for the back disability. Other disabilities have been rated based on their specific criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the May 2014 decision regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current chronic ankle disability and his preexisting flat feet condition was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for both a bilateral foot disability and a bilateral ankle disability is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim for neurological disorder is remanded as there are issues regarding its secondary nature.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral cold injury of the feet.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant records are considered in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for gender identity disorder (GID) resulting from a VA transphenoidal resection of a nonsecretory pituitary tumor in April 2008 is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether GID is related to the surgery and if so, whether it was caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's bilateral foot condition claim due to an inadequate March 2013 VA examination. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim and must be deferred until the service connection claim is resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, left and right calcaneal spurs, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome with diverticulitis have been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since September 1, 2009. The Board has determined that a higher initial disability rating of 10 percent is warranted for the calcaneal spur disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with left hallux valgus and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal was granted an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to February 28, 2013, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The disability is rated under Diagnostic Code 5276 for acquired flatfoot with marked deformity.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, effective from April 16, 2010.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis has been dismissed. The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is characterized by chronic pain, pressure, and swelling that are exacerbated by standing and walking.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. The pre-existing pes planus, bunions, and other foot disabilities are found to be aggravated by active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 6, 2015.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, including hammer toes and degenerative joint disease, are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ankle/foot disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected left knee injury. The examiner will also address any other diagnosed foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA podiatrist regarding the Veteran's right foot disability and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected kidney stone disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.