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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for service connection for scars of the elbows and knees and recurrent neck pain were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat feet condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and was not aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that there was no aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral wrist disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of meningitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active duty service and was not incurred or aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service connection claims for foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has decided that the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, and back disabilities must be remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and cardiovascular disorder, finding that the pre-existing conditions did not worsen during reserve service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran seeks payment of a clothing allowance for the 2014 application year due to wearing a brace on his right knee. The AOJ denied entitlement because he is not entitled to service connection for a knee disability, but he is entitled to service connection for pes planus with genu valgum.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's request and is not making any determination on the merits of her claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and to determine if the Veteran's right foot disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not permit vocational rehabilitation training or lead to successful employment, and the necessary steps towards receiving Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation benefits have not been taken.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus was noted at entry into service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying service connection for this condition. The thoracolumbar spine disability is also denied as it is considered a direct result of the pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing. The claims of increased evaluations and effective date are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes at any time during the pendency of his appeal. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left foot disability is being remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot disability is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the current disability is less likely due to an injury in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, but the Veteran may have other bilateral foot disabilities that are related to service. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than plantar fasciitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or since his service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his service.

The Veteran's pes planus with degenerative joint disease was granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent effective June 16, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, keratotic lesions of both feet, and fibroma mass of the left foot are related to service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent for fasciotomy, left foot with plantar fasciitis prior to the Board's decision.