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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and completing examinations for his knee and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before the Board. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral pes planus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative joint disease of the feet, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The examiner opined that the condition is a congenital disease and did not permanently increase in severity beyond the natural progression during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, or bilateral pes planus. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes disability has been found to more nearly approximate the criteria for a pronounced bilateral pes planus disability due to painful foot motion, abnormal weight bearing, tender callosities regularly removed by his spouse, weight bearing line over or medial to the great toe, bilateral Morton's metatarsalgia, tenderness over the soles of the feet at mid-arch level, a moderate degree of valgus tender plantar surfaces, deformity of inward rotation of the os calcis, and mal-alignment with inward bowing of the Achilles tendon; resulting in significant functional impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The left foot disability issue remains pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and an examination for the Veteran's bilateral foot/ankle disorders, including DJD of the great toes, peripheral neuropathic pain, and pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, calluses, and metatarsalgia of the second toes were rated at 20 percent from September 30, 2006 to September 17, 2013, and at 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's appeal was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition and bilateral pes planus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are now before the Board to decide on their merits.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis is linked to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that it more closely approximates moderate disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to February 4, 2009. The Board also found that there was no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during active duty.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder prior to December 18, 2010 was rated at non-compensable due to relief by built-up shoe or arch support.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether any foot disabilities other than pes planus are related to service or aggravated by service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD during his March 2013 videoconference hearing. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus on the basis of aggravation during service has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to ensure all relevant medical records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral calf disorder or right knee disorder, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The remaining issues of secondary service connection are inextricably intertwined with the pes planus claim.