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

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an effective date have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 30 percent prior to January 23, 2015 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board has found that a higher rating for the period before January 23, 2015 is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing pronounced bilateral flatfoot. For the period after January 23, 2015, the Veteran's disability picture does not more nearly approximate a higher rating based on functional loss or flare-ups with limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for plantar fasciitis, DJD and calcaneal spurs of the right foot from August 31, 2010 to March 22, 2011; and for bilateral plantar fasciitis, DJD and calcaneal spurs from March 22, 2011 to February 28, 2014. The remand is due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination report.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, dysarthria, right knee degenerative joint disease, and bilateral pes planus, are deemed to be of sufficient severity to render him practically unemployable. As a result, the Board has granted total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA medical records. The Board also ordered VA examinations to determine if the Veteran has each of his claimed disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination and a statement of the case addressing the propriety of reducing his bilateral pes planus rating from 50 percent to 10 percent effective February 1, 2013. The claim for individual unemployability will also be addressed.

Service connection granted for bilateral pes planus.,Service connection denied for bilateral knee disability, dizziness, and evaluation in excess of 50 percent for tension headaches. Effective date for service connection for tension headaches is denied prior to November 16, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and her active duty or any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 70% for PTSD prior to October 20, 2016. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.,An effective date earlier than February 11, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot disability and secondary service connection for right shoulder disability due to lack of response from the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain, and initial compensable ratings for left thigh scar and eczema due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 7, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unable to work prior to this date due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to her military service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be at least as likely as not related to her in-service foot pain, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder and PTSD). The rating for the Veteran's left foot disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left foot scar, right foot disability, and right foot hammer toe due to possible worsening since the last examinations in 2014 and 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability is reopened, but the case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether his current right knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot pes planus with arthritic changes is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of pronounced pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, and his degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees with patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent.,All other conditions are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation that led to current disabilities.