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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of flat feet and there is no evidence in the record to support this claim. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for complaints, symptoms, findings or diagnoses related to flat feet. His post-service VA treatment records also do not indicate any such condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The specific issues of increased evaluations for plantar fasciitis of both feet remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia and bone spurs is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient VCAA notice and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability will be reviewed again with new evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined as a single disability, do not meet the threshold percentage standards for TDIU. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran is capable of performing sedentary work with certain limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus was granted a noncompensable rating prior to December 8, 2011, and a 10 percent rating from that date. The Board found the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify her Reserve service and obtain all outstanding medical records, including from the Birmingham VAMC and UAB Hoover Health Center. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by a disability picture that approximates moderate flatfoot, where the weight-bearing line is over or medial to the great toe with pain on use of the feet. Therefore, an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced on whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors, and concludes that he does.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer was granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.,Service connection for tinnitus and migraines were both granted. The Veteran is not shown to have pes planus or flat feet.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with history of pes planus warrants a rating of 30 percent, effective August 18, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, and the Board finds that she is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, including flat feet and acne vulgaris. The cause of death was determined to be an intracranial bleed.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, with an additional 10 percent for limitation of extension. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has a separate rating.

The Veteran's pes planus disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis are related to his active military service, with consideration given to the aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected right foot disability. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for plantar calluses (claimed as plantar warts) is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and bipolar disorder, remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim to restore service connection for weak foot (pes planus), bilateral, was denied by the Board in November 1958 due to clear and unmistakable error. The evidence did not clearly and unmistakably show that the pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, pes planus, headaches, hypertension, and dermatitis.