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

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5278 for claw foot (pes cavus). The condition primarily manifests as pain and swelling on prolonged standing or walking, greater on the right side than the left. There are no indications of additional symptoms warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability and found that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot conditions were not incurred in service or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed foot disabilities and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied. The Board found that the disability more closely approximated severe pes planus, warranting a 30 percent rating. However, as the disability had been service-connected on an aggravation basis, the pre-existing degree of disability (10%) was deducted from any compensation level assigned, leaving the Veteran with a net 20% compensation level for his bilateral pes planus. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective February 19, 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for the period prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted. The issues of lumbosacral strain, right and left hip sprain, right and left knee arthritis, and bilateral pes planus are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated during her active duty, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a left ankle disability. The Veteran must be provided with a Statement of the Case on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral leg and foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his other service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran will be provided a new VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and instability, as well as bilateral pes planus, were denied. The temporary total rating due to convalescence following the right knee surgery was also denied. However, service connection for right knee instability from June 21, 2012 onwards was granted with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, bilateral pes planus, and bronchial asthma will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis has been rated at 10 percent for each foot prior to July 9, 2014, and increased to 50 percent thereafter.

Service connection is granted for asthma, and the Veteran's current respiratory condition is related to service.,Service connection is denied for pulmonary embolism. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a relationship between the post-service diagnosis and service.,Service connection is denied for blurred vision. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a relationship between the post-service symptoms and service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus, as it was not aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.,Service connection is granted for nighttime incontinence, which is proximately due to or a result of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA/VA private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and osteoarthritis of the left knee was granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for bilateral pes planus effective May 12, 2004. The 30 percent rating for left knee disability was also granted effective July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to address the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hypermobility syndrome, right hip disability, bilateral second toe disability, bilateral elbow disability, bilateral leg length discrepancy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.