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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral feet disability, particularly if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and hemorrhoids, including as secondary to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with abdominal mass. The evidence does not support a finding that the current hemorrhoids are related to the service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. For his tinea pedis with onychomycosis, he receives staged ratings of 0% prior to March 2, 2004; 30% from March 2, 2004 to June 1, 2005; and 0% thereafter.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability or lumbar spine disability, concluding that any current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 50 percent is warranted. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions are also considered in determining whether an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right wrist disability, hypertension, and stomach disability due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee, cervical spine, and low back disabilities secondary to service-connected pes planus. The Veteran's claims were based on the presumption of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of stress fractures of both feet, including her diagnosed plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot pes planus, left hip disability, cervical spine DDD, shoulder and upper extremity disabilities, lumbar spine DDD, bilateral knee disability, lower extremity nerve disability, fibromyalgia, and left ankle disability. The appeals were based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for restrictive lung disease, bilateral foot disability, and cervical spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claims for service connection based on aggravation, TDIU, and increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral foot disability, and various knee disabilities were denied. The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine and right and left knees are rated as 10% since August 17, 2007 and October 25, 2005 respectively. The Veteran's right leg and left leg disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back pain, bilateral flat feet, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities based on a lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not service-connected as the condition existed prior to his entry into service and did not increase in severity during service. The Veteran's hypertension, which required medication for control, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur, left foot is currently manifested by severe tenderness of the bilateral plantar fascia and a mild bilateral antalgic gait. The Board finds that an initial evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis has been met.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an effective date of September 26, 2003 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The remaining issues regarding earlier effective dates have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including the submission of new medical records.