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

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment given his education and experience.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active service, and arthritis of the feet, ankles, legs, hips, and back is considered well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the current criteria and medical findings.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a traveling Member of the Board and returning it to the Board for appellate consideration.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral flat feet was granted, with a current rating of 30 percent effective from March 10, 1997.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, osteoarthritis of the left wrist, and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus and right ankle injury do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis did not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, based on current evidence showing improvement and no significant limitation of motion or deformity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gender identification disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and bilateral pes planus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. Service connection is established for a scar on the head, postoperative residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomy of the right knee, anterior cruciate ligament deficiency of the left knee with degenerative joint disease, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and gastroesophageal reflux. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been granted to 10 percent for postoperative residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomy of the right knee, anterior cruciate ligament deficiency of the left knee with degenerative joint disease, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and gastroesophageal reflux.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including back disability, liver disorder, eye disorder, and right hip disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evaluation for residuals of plantar fasciitis with a history of minimal hammertoe deformity of both feet is also denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there was no evidence of pes planus or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, while causing significant pain and functional limitations, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent for either foot. The condition is currently rated at 10 percent for each foot.

The Board has determined that the appropriate effective date for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability is March 16, 1984.

The veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the claim for an increased (compensable) rating for postoperative residuals of an appendectomy. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected conditions were denied. Her major depression was found to be manifested by moderate symptoms resulting in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 30 percent evaluation. The bilateral plantar fasciitis with Achilles tendonitis was found to result in no more than moderate impairment of each foot, warranting a 10 percent evaluation for each foot combined. The stress fracture residuals were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus, rated as 10 percent disabling from August 31, 1992, is now rated at 30 percent effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pes planus, finding that his claims were not well-grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, increased ratings for plantar fasciitis of both feet, and a compensable rating for cataracts were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities that would warrant the requested evaluations.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.