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

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the buttocks has been denied. His claims for heart disability, pes planus, cold weather injuries of the feet, and residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right foot are pending.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms approximate a moderate disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability and is currently examining the issue of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of flat feet, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology since his second term of service were credible and supported by medical evidence indicating a link between his military service and the development of this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have increased in severity during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The right foot fracture residuals are not currently established as a separate disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 7, 2010 and after April 7, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's plantar fasciitis and pes planus were incurred or aggravated during her service, with resolution of all reasonable doubt in her favor. The Veteran also had headaches and sinusitis diagnosed as chronic disabilities related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating for right ovarian cyst and uterine fibroid.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including hypertension, bilateral foot disability, peripheral neuropathy, arthritis, memory loss, erectile dysfunction, ankle and leg disabilities, and diabetes mellitus. The case will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg and foot disabilities were aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current nature and extent of his bilateral foot disability, including an opinion regarding the relationship of sesamoiditis to service or to the service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The AMC/RO will also obtain complete copies of the Veteran's U.S. Army Reserves records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a foot disability to include bilateral talus spur and arthritis was granted. The appeals for left knee disability, left shoulder disability including as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability, and an increased rating for headaches were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus and fractures of the right and left feet, is being remanded due to inadequate examination report. The case will be readjudicated after a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the acquisition of outstanding medical records. The issue remains on whether he should receive an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral flat feet.

The Board found that the Veteran's right plantar calcaneal spur with plantar fasciitis is related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the left ankle osteoarthritis and right Achilles tendonitis to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is manifested by tenderness, mild loss of function, pain, soreness, swelling, fatigability, a lack of endurance, flare-ups, forefoot malalignment, an absence of arch on weight bearing, moderate pronation, and apropulsive and antalgic gait with use of corrective shoes and orthotic inserts. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is most appropriately rated by analogy to DC 5276, as relevant to acquired flatfeet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to reassess the severity of his bilateral foot disability and VCAA notice regarding the disability rating and effective date elements of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a link between the claimed disabilities and his service-connected conditions, or any other presumptive basis.