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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims related to hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as for service connection for various disabilities. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to obtain private medical records and participate in a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional service treatment records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for left arm disorder, bilateral pes planus, and tinnitus. The AOJ should obtain these records and then review the record and obtain any addendum opinions deemed necessary.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, low back disability, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered to be related to his active service.,The Board also denied a higher evaluation for the service-connected shell fragment wound of the left thigh and denied compensable evaluations for two service-connected scars.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hammertoes, and DJD are granted service connection. Service connection for cervical spine disability is also granted, but the rating assigned is only 20 percent, which may not be sufficient given his symptoms. The issue of higher ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including calluses of the feet, was denied because no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim after previous denials.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with calcaneal plantar fasciitis has resulted in symptoms that more nearly approximate severe flatfoot, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. Service connection for bilateral wrist disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hand disability, and right foot disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for a right foot disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected knee disorders are alleged to have caused or aggravated his current right foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for elevated cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, left hand osteoarthritis, low back disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee disability, bilateral eye disability, stomach disability, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and headache disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and potential need for additional examinations or opinions.

The Board has dismissed the claim for residuals, right leg surgery and denied the claim for non-service connected pension benefits. The remaining issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea syndrome, bilateral foot disability, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and granted initial ratings for various conditions, including left shoulder DJD, left knee DJD, right knee DJD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left and right ankle DJD, and hiatal hernia with GERD. The claim of service connection for a left elbow disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient analysis regarding whether his lumbar disability was incurred in service or pre-existed. The issues of secondary service connection are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the primary claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left foot disability and respiratory disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and denied her request to reopen her previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hallux valgus. For the entire initial rating period on appeal beginning May 22, 2012, a 20 percent rating was granted for each of her right and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back, bilateral foot, and bilateral elbow disabilities due to new evidence received since the final denial. The appeals are now pending.

The Veteran's right foot, bilateral knee, and vaginitis and pelvic inflammatory disease disabilities are granted. The Veteran's left knee disability is also granted. A rating of 30 percent for vaginitis and pelvic inflammatory disease is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral pes planus was denied. The appeal for a higher initial rating for the disability due to extraschedular considerations is also pending and will be remanded.