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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the residual scar of her left index finger is also rated as noncompensable.,Both conditions are found to be mild in nature with no functional impairment or additional disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board finds the Veteran's assertion of continuous symptomatology of a bilateral foot disability manifested by fallen arches since service to be credible given the consistency of his contentions for 35 years. The weight of the evidence supports the conclusion that the onset of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability was incurred during active duty service and that service connection must be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and denied each claim.

The Board denied service connection for viral conjunctivitis, a right foot disorder, a right elbow disorder, and residuals of a head injury, to include a left eyebrow scar. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes cavus as of August 19, 2008. The Veteran's symptoms prior to this date were characterized by pain and tenderness in the feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including bilateral hearing loss, right and left foot disabilities, ulcers, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disability, PTSD, or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is insufficient to establish a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service or periods of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right foot disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle, knee, and foot disabilities are related to his period of active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right foot disability and whether it is related to service. The examiner should also assess if there are current left foot and/or back disabilities that may be due or aggravated by the right foot disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus, but these issues are still pending as they have not been decided on their merits yet.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be moderate, with calluses on her heels and first metatarsal areas. The Board determined that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The July 1979 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral pes planus was found to be final and not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.,An earlier effective date of December 23, 2002, for a 30 percent disability evaluation for pes planus with plantar warts has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 16, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a bilateral knee condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly pension and increased rating are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records, including those from private doctors. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his candidiasis of the feet with tinea pedis and hyperhidrosis, as well as whether he meets the requirements for SMP at the aid and attendance or housebound rate.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there was no evidence of more than moderate impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants TDIU based on this finding.