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

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, right foot, and bilateral hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with triple arthrodesis of the left foot is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from January 14, 2011. His left ankle degenerative joint disease (s/p talo-navicular joint arthrodesis) has not been separately evaluated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. The bilateral ankle disability was not manifest in service or related to his service-connected knee disability.

The Board found that the appellant's pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent was denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for residuals of heatstroke and initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was granted a compensable rating effective January 23, 2009.,A compensable rating of 30 percent for the right heel disability has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service or aggravated by his flat feet, and whether any hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease of the metatarsophalangeal joints are due to flat feet. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for separate service connection for a right foot disability and an increased rating for incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve with contracture, flexion of right knee, secondary to paralysis due to gunshot wound of the right buttock. The evidence did not support the claim that the Veteran had a separate disability (to include a circulation disorder) manifested by discoloration and/or swelling of the right foot.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, characterized by painful calluses, metatarsalgia and hallux valgus with flat feet, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5279. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral foot disability other than hallux valgus, but granted TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold percentage requirements for TDIU.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current left hip disability or bilateral plantar keratomas to service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and a left foot disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right elbow or right shoulder disability. The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by pain, weakness, stiffness, swelling and limited ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods, results in moderate disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his current conditions and military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease is secondary to his already service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to reassess his bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), right arm numbness, left arm numbness, a sleep disorder, and a heart condition are also being remanded as additional development is needed.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right arm numbness, left arm numbness, a sleep disorder, and a heart condition remain on appeal.