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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, which preexisted service and was aggravated during service, meets the criteria for service connection. The psychiatric issue is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right foot disorders. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and laxity with internal derangement are currently rated at 20 percent each, while hypertension is not service-connected. The bilateral foot disability has been granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated during her military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of bilateral pes planus and erectile dysfunction. The issues remain pending as the Veteran has not been provided with a statement of the case (SOC) on the rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral shin splints is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or residual disability from the diagnosed condition during the appeal period.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, effective from the date of the initial denial in November 1996. The Veteran's TDIU claim is referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine if the surgically removed plantar wart had its onset in or was related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including bilateral foot disabilities, left and right hip/knee disabilities, rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, residuals of a nasal fracture (including deviated septum), sleep apnea, and chronic folliculitis. The Veteran's hearing loss is also service connected.

The Board has determined that the November 2009 VA examination is not adequate for the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and right knee disability. The Veteran should be scheduled for a new VA examination to address these medical matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine the credibility of his statements regarding his in-service exposure and symptomatology.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral flat feet, but denied the secondary service connection claim for arthritis of the feet. The Veteran's claims are pending further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any foot disability found.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, posttraumatic headaches, and benign positional vertigo are not supported by the evidence of record. The current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar psoriasis is not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability did not manifest during his active service and is not etiologically related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's right foot disability, which included an open reduction and internal fixation procedure, was found to have moderate symptoms throughout the appeal period. The Board determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there were no objective findings of moderately severe symptoms such as loss of use or significant range of motion limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his bilateral foot disability is secondary to his service-connected right ankle condition.