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

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right foot disabilities are granted, with the exception of a higher rating for his major depressive disorder. The appeals for service connection on all other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for herniated disc, lumbar spine and thoracic spine degenerative arthritis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tear, bilateral ankle disability, and left flatfoot (pes planus) have all been granted. The initial ratings are 10% for rib pain status post fracture, with no higher.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability, as well as her increased rating claims for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disability related to service or a service-connected condition. For the knees, the Board noted no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,Service-connected back disability was initially granted a 20% rating, which has been increased to 30% after March 25, 2017. The current rating of 20% remains unchanged prior to that date.,The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 10%. No higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated at 20%, and no higher rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The issues include service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and right knee and hypertension ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for whole body muscle spasms, a left shoulder injury, a right elbow disability, back pain, and a foot disability. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right foot disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to the need for further medical examination and review of records.

The Veteran's right foot disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation for the period prior to February 26, 2013. The appeal regarding left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and coccyx disability has been withdrawn.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's current eye disorders are not etiologically related to service, while his bilateral foot disorder is likely due to prolonged standing in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's sinusitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the percentage requirements for a TDIU and his education and occupational experience qualified him to work only as a truck driver. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable, thus granting the claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, resulting in the denial of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's foot disabilities and their relation to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability, bilateral foot disability, and mental condition due to lack of VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for pes planus from 30 percent to noncompensable was proper due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 18, 2012 rating decision. The appropriate procedural steps were followed in implementing this reduction. However, the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pes planus since March 1, 2014 is remanded due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various joint disabilities, including right shoulder, left elbow, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities. The Veteran submitted additional evidence in June 2017, which he requested be reviewed by an agency of original jurisdiction before the Board's consideration.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right foot disabilities, hypertension, scars of the forehead and right wrist, chronic headaches, and sleep apnea. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including shoulder disabilities, erectile dysfunction, knee disabilities, and foot disabilities, all of which are claimed to be secondary to cervical spine and/or lumbar spine disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions have been incurred or aggravated by service.