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

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining better copies of service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within a year of her separation from active duty. The Board found that asthma, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral ankle arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome are secondary to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service, and also determined that he developed calluses of both feet due to his period of active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is manifested by tenderness, mild loss of function, pain, soreness, swelling, fatigability, a lack of endurance, flare-ups, forefoot malalignment, an absence of arch on weight bearing, moderate pronation, and apropulsive and antalgic gait with use of corrective shoes and orthotic inserts. The current 30 percent disability rating is the appropriate assignment for her service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276 for severe bilateral pes planus. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, headaches, and left foot disability as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's joint pain is attributed to pre-existing conditions and not due to service. Service connection for the claimed disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is being remanded due to inadequate notice and scheduling issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes was not incurred during service and is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection for diabetes must be denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral plantar fasciitis, as well as whether it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, to include bilateral pes planus, is denied as the evidence does not show that his current condition manifested during or was caused by his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims of right foot disability and low back injury will be reviewed again after these issues are addressed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes planus are service-connected. The right and left ankle disorders have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine their connection to service.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 80% for service-connected disabilities and is employed in suitable employment, thus meeting the criteria to deny his request for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to warrant a 30 percent rating, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the issue of dental disorder. The Board finds that multiple joint and muscle pain, urethritis, prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, night sweats (due to Reiter's syndrome or sarcoidosis), respiratory problems (sarcoidosis), blood in stools/hemorrhoids, and short term memory loss are all part of his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran's right heel spur residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability has been rated as severe since October 8, 2008, warranting a 30 percent rating for each foot.