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

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not require the assistance of another person in meeting his daily needs such as dressing, food preparation, and keeping himself ordinarily clean.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability has manifested as severe for the period prior to July 9, 2015. The Board finds an increased rating to 30 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a pre-existing bilateral pes planus condition that was aggravated by his active duty service, and thus he is entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent is warranted for each ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pes planus with degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral knee and ankle degenerative joint disease, meet the criteria for a TDIU as they result in his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back strain with degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, right foot traumatic arthritis with pes planus, left foot traumatic arthritis with pes planus, right hip degenerative arthritis, and left hip degenerative arthritis, meet the minimum combined rating criteria for a TDIU since February 27, 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability has been manifested by pain, decreased longitudinal arch height on weight-bearing, and marked pronation. The symptoms are not relieved with use of orthotics and result in functional impairment with symptoms of pain with prolonged weight bearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and right foot disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran also requested a Board hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of bilateral breast reduction surgery is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has scarring due to her in-service breast reduction surgery, which meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various foot and elbow conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for her right elbow fracture, cervical degenerative disc disease, or plantar fasciitis with heel spurs.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not manifest during service and are not related to active service. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left elbow disability, and right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's request for a temporary total disability rating due to surgical treatment requiring convalescence has been granted. The criteria were met from November 14, 2008 to March 1, 2009, and from April 16, 2009 to October 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee arthritis and bilateral pes planus have not been decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled examinations and because he reported difficulties securing steady housing, including temporary homelessness. The case will be readjudicated after the Veteran undergoes a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), have been denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis was rated at 20 percent effective October 1, 2011. The initial noncompensable rating for the period through September 11, 2011, remains in effect.