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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as his sinusitis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine and right foot disabilities have been granted initial evaluations. The cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 20, 2010, and at 20 percent beginning on that date. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent. The right foot disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted as a direct service connection, and the VA determined that he had not been diagnosed with PTSD at the time of his death.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was granted as a direct service connection, based on evidence indicating it was related to combat injuries during service.,The Veteran's claim for spinal disorder was granted as a direct service connection, due to old trauma and a nexus to combat service.,The Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis was denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange or any event during service.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disorder was granted as a direct service connection, based on evidence indicating he had arthritis due to old trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability (bronchitis) is not related to service, but reopened her claims for lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence. The claim for bilateral foot disability was also reopened.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and tarsal tunnel syndrome do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back strain and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased initial rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the thoracic spine disability. The Veteran is currently receiving separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent, which the Board finds appropriate given his symptoms and treatment. The Veteran desires a higher rating but acknowledges that a 10 percent evaluation would satisfy his appeal.

The Veteran does not have a current left elbow disability, but has bilateral pes planus that pre-existed service and was aggravated during service. The right foot calcaneal bone cyst/contusion is considered to be incurred in active service.,Service connection for the left elbow disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's right and left foot plantar fasciitis have been rated at 20% each, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected psychiatric disability, bipolar disorder with depression. The cause of death was listed as probable cardiac arrhythmia due to an enlarged heart. Given the evidence, including the independent medical evaluation, which concluded that the medications prescribed for his psychiatric condition likely contributed to his death, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral elbow and ankle disabilities, as well as his claims for bilateral heel spurs, knee arthritis, hand arthritis, and left foot disability. The RO found that these conditions were not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability results in pain that is treated by the use of orthotics; however, a disorder that is 'moderate' in severity has not been shown.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and ankle disability, including pes planus, chronic plantar fasciitis, hammertoes or post-surgical residuals (including scars), numbness of the right foot, and bilateral ankle strain, is at least as likely as not related to her service. Therefore, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus worsened beyond its normal progression during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, primarily due to an examiner's opinion that the Veteran was capable of sedentary work. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining the Veteran's complete work history and educational background.