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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO incorrectly adjudicated other issues and failed to provide an adequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertonicity of the right plantar flexion muscle group, claimed as a right foot disability, is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability. The Board has not made a determination on whether the Veteran's allergies and/or sinus disability are secondary to his service-connected scar, left nose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete service records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral ankle or left foot disabilities, and the VA examinations do not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. The Board finds no evidence of a current diagnosis of a left foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected amputation of the left second and third toes, with internal fractures of the fourth and fifth toes, was granted. The Board also found that he is entitled to separate ratings for arthritis and plantar fasciitis as residuals of his service-connected injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and bilateral knee disability, but remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus worsened during service, warranting service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and metatarsalgia are related to service. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral ankles and feet and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a more recent examination for TMJ and scheduling of a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in an award of TDIU. The Veteran also received a temporary total disability rating for surgery performed on December 22, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability and bilateral foot disability were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome. The claims are also remanded for an opinion on whether he has any acquired psychiatric disability related to service or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The left eye disability and other issues remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition, including bilateral pes planus and tinea unguium of the toenails, did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's pes planus disability was reduced to a noncompensable rating, effective June 1, 2009. The Board found that the reduction was proper based on improvement in his condition. The Veteran's total disability due to individual unemployability claim is denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his bilateral foot disability and PTSD were not rated appropriately. The Board found that the current ratings for both conditions did not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities. No compensable rating is assigned for tinea pedis with onychomycosis (feet fungus) or TMJ disorder.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development to address the nature and etiology of any right knee, ankle, or foot disability. The examiner should consider the service medical records showing stress changes on bone scan in November 2008, the February 2010 reserve service medical record, and the November 2010 and April 2014 VA examination reports.

The Veteran's left plantar fasciitis with heel spur and right foot, plantar fasciitis, are each shown to have been productive of a disability picture involving no more than moderate painful functional effects in her daily life at work and home. She is therefore entitled to a 10 percent rating for each foot.