Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral pes planus was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent disability rating for the condition, effective from October 16, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as there is no evidence of severe manifestations such as marked deformity or characteristic callosities. The preponderance of the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's flat feet were incurred in active military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a left foot and ankle disability due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to his service or any inservice injury.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The RO denied increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected plantar warts of the feet and keratoderma of the hands, as well as his claim for service connection for sarcoidosis.,The RO also granted an increased rating from 10 to 30 percent for the appellant's service-connected plantar warts of the feet effective January 27, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar warts and compensable rating for hemorrhoids, as well as his service connection claims for nerve damage to the hands and wrists (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), dizziness (claimed as vertigo and a black-out seizure disorder), and headaches. The clothing allowance claim was denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the denial of service connection for residuals of a fractured pelvis. The claim for an increased rating for left foot condition diagnosed as thickened plantar fascia was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus was aggravated by his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of pre-service and post-service medical records regarding the veteran's pes planus.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for plantar warts of both feet, effective from the date service connection was established.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing pes planus did not worsen during service, and thus could not be granted service connection. The claim for residuals of a right great toe injury was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial in 1988.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The veteran's PTSD and left foot disability have been granted increased ratings, with the PTSD rated at 50 percent disabling effective April 16, 1996.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a chronic right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or chronic residuals from injuries sustained during active service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for migraine headaches, but granted increased ratings of 10% for both low back disability and left foot disability. The veteran's testimony regarding his disabilities was considered in determining these decisions.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left foot disability and a separate rating of 20 percent for her right foot disability, both characterized by pain.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, an eye injury and an ulcer disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The claim for service connection for residuals of a bilateral leg injury is well-grounded.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus and hypertension were found to have been aggravated during service, warranting service connection. The left hip bursitis is currently rated at 10 percent due to constant pain.