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

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neck disability. The evidence submitted since the last denial supports a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The right upper extremity radiculopathy, left foot pes planus, and neck scar conditions are all rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for hearings as requested. The claims will be returned to the Board after these hearings are conducted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee arthritis are due to active service or, in the case of bilateral knee arthritis, are secondary to now service-connected bilateral pes planus. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and chest pain have been denied.,The claim for an increased rating for diabetes has not met the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating prior to March 3, 2009. The current evaluation of 20 percent is maintained.,The Veteran's hypertension with diabetic nephropathy does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The claim for urinary incontinence has been granted effective from April 11, 2009 and rated at 60 percent. The earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent prior to March 3, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand tremors and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete examination reports and lack of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left foot disability, which included pes planus and a bunion, was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury due to new evidence. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent from February 9, 2009 to December 7, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability, 10 percent for his bilateral foot disability (diagnosed as plantar fasciitis), and 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to October 16, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which pre-existed entry into active duty, was aggravated by active duty. The Veteran's GERD is found to be at least as likely as not secondary to her service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional medical records. The service connection claim for left plantar fibroma is inextricably intertwined with the temporary total disability rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the right acromioclavicular joint, synovitis of the right and left knees, bilateral pes planus, and deviated septum. The case is being remanded to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The case will be further developed by obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA compensation examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The claim to reopen service connection for bilateral pes planus with calluses was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's chronic low back disability and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection, effective April 17, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing, issuing a statement of the case on the issue to reopen service connection for plantar fasciitis/flat feet, requesting VA outpatient records from January 2014 through the present, and scheduling a respiratory examination.