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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, including those from the Richmond VA Medical Center. The AOJ will review the record and conduct any additional development deemed necessary before re-adjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, asthma, hemorrhoids, Morton's neuroma, sinusitis, hypertension, right and left shoulder disabilities, a right knee disability, otitis media, rhinitis, costochondritis, GERD, headaches, and left testicle epididymitis. The Veteran does not have hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim for an increased rating for right foot plantar fasciitis was also denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral foot strain with heel spurs and pes planus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5284 for residuals of other foot injuries. The disability is characterized by no more than moderate pes planus with pain on use, and heel spurs shown on X-ray study.

The Veteran's appeal has been granted for service connection of various conditions, including sleep apnea, Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis, urethritis and prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis with dry eyes, joint and muscle pain, allergic rhinitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastrointestinal disorder. Effective dates have also been assigned for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues are whether she should be granted initial compensable ratings for bilateral pes planus and microcytic anemia.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has been characterized by pain and the need for shoe inserts. The Board determined that a compensable rating of 10 percent is warranted, but no higher.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot pes planus, duodenal ulcer, and varicose veins. The issues of service connection for depression, a back disorder, compensable ratings for hand injuries, traumatic brain injury, and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot disability and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient hospital records, military personnel records, and VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if any current hepatitis C disability is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease (Endolymphatic Hydrops) has been granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus and a disability manifested by chest pain have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and therefore, does not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection established for bilateral flat feet. The higher ratings for tendonitis of the right Achilles tendon and posterior calcaneal spur of the right heel are dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's pes planus has been rated at the highest allowable rating since August 13, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTC was not caused or aggravated by medication taken for her service-connected psychiatric disorder and is not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disease or injury. The foot disability was also determined to be unrelated to service, and the eye disability was not caused or aggravated by medication taken for service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore, her claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher evaluation for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for bilateral pes planus was granted, and he is currently assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective June 15, 2004. The Board found that the evidence supported an initial 30 percent evaluation from June 15, 2004 to October 21, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and left foot disabilities due to new evidence, including recent VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on an in-service injury during combat.