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

The Veteran seeks service connection for a plantar fibroma of the right foot. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including a VA examination to determine if the condition is related to service or any pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by pronounced flat feet with constant extreme tenderness, inward displacement of the Achilles tendon, mild pronation, calluses, and numbness. The disability warrants a 50 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left foot disability did not undergo a permanent worsening during his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current right ankle, foot, or knee disability. She has been diagnosed with GERD and irritable bowel syndrome which had their onset in service.,Service connection is granted for GERD and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations. The ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and left foot disability are maintained at their current levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcoholism, high cholesterol, right shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, low back disability, and hemorrhoids have been denied as a matter of law due to the prohibition on direct service connection for these conditions based on their relationship to substance abuse. The claim for initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's pes planus preexisted service and was not aggravated during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's vocational rehabilitation training outside the United States was not necessary for him to qualify for, obtain, and retain suitable employment in his chosen field due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. However, further examination is needed to determine if his right shoulder, right foot, and left knee disabilities are also related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current bilateral foot disability(ies), as well as whether any such disabilities are related to service-connected cervical spine, low back, and/or hip disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a foot disability was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected knees and bilateral ankle and feet disabilities. The examiner should also address whether any current bilateral ankle and foot disabilities are causally or etiologically related to parachute jump landings during military service.

The Veteran's sole current service-connected disability is bilateral plantar warts, rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that this condition alone does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for pyoderma (claimed as tropical fungus of the legs) and granted service connection for a left foot disability due to its etiology being linked to active military service.

The Veteran's flat feet are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected plantar fasciitis with pes planus, status post plantar fascial release with scars, right and left foot are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing medical records and for new VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.