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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of higher ratings for left knee arthritis remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease C5-6 due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability in either ear that meets VA's definition of hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bunions, and degenerative joint disease of both feet. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and right knee disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a service connection. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, provide proper notice regarding secondary service connection, and afford the Veteran a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, bilateral foot disorder (pes planus), and right hip degenerative joint disease were granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder impingement, bursitis, and AC joint arthritis was denied. His claim for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and securing outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral feet was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition in service or within one year after separation. The Board found that the Veteran has been diagnosed with bone spurs, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus but not degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were not found to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to April 5, 2014. From that date, the Veteran was assigned a 30 percent evaluation for each foot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral foot disability remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left foot conditions, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent, and her claims for secondary service connection to bilateral pes planus were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis B and associated disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral foot and knee disabilities, back disability, and digestive disability/IBS have been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung and heart disabilities, as well as several other conditions, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service, nor any competent medical opinion linking them to service.

The Veteran does not have a bilateral foot disability that is shown in service or related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board finds the VA examination opinion against the claim to be more probative than the outpatient report.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a DRO hearing at the Muskogee, Oklahoma location.

The Veteran's appeal was found to be timely filed, and his claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD, bilateral great toes as secondary to the service-connected disability of bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is service-connected. The issue of left elbow olecranon bursitis remains pending and will be remanded for further development.