Jim,
I am already 10% for Left foot plantar faciitis w/heel spur and was recently diagnosed with Right foot plantar faciitis w/heel spur...could you tell me if it is possible that I will be awarded an additional 10% for the Right foot problems or will they consider it Bilateral foot problems and just keep it at 10%?
Thanks for your continued help.
Reply:
This is most likely going to depend on whether or not the new diagnosis is proven as service connected. I'll assume that the left foot diagnosis and service connection was made on history from your service medical record that showed a left foot condition on active duty.
If the right foot condition was not verified in service or within a year after your ETS, there is no particular reason to believe VA will see it as service connected. This happens often with joint conditions. The vet may have a left knee condition that is service connected and then some years later have the same or a similar condition of the right knee. The veteran will believe that the cause of the condition is probably the same as the other knee and VA will not.
If you have the second foot service connected, it is likely that it will be rated as a separate condition. If you have 10% for the left foot and the right foot is also rated at 10%, your overall rating will probably be 20%. The Combined Ratings Table http://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/bookc.asp can give you details of how conditions are rated.