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

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for mechanical low back pain and bilateral foot disability, effective from the date of the claim received in January 1992.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a mental disorder, low back disability, and right foot disability are not well-grounded. The evidence submitted does not establish current disabilities or show a relationship to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder. The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was not aggravated by his military service. For the right knee and left knee disorders, the Board concluded that there was no competent medical evidence to support their incurrence or aggravation in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training was granted due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative joint disease of the knees and left elbow tendinitis. The VA determined that he had an employment handicap but did not meet the criteria for a serious employment handicap.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including hypertension, mild pulmonary obstruction, and bilateral pes planus, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as his combined disability evaluation is only 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is not well-grounded due to a lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during service or any link between post-service pes planus and his period of active service.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus and knee disorders did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating of bilateral pes planus. The case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, tinea pedis, a left ankle disability, and a left great toe disability. The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was not well-grounded, and denied his claims for increased evaluations of his psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease and noting the lack of continuity of symptoms since discharge from service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for flat feet, residuals of a back injury, and depression are not well-grounded. As such, the appeals were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for plantar warts and a noncompensable evaluation for the veteran's chalazion. The veteran's condition is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for pes planus. The Board also found that the veteran's pes planus was aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his bilateral pes planus and service connection for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a well-grounded claim for either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot and leg disabilities did not increase in severity during service or as a result of service, and therefore, they are not considered to be incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral pes planus, which is considered moderate in severity. The condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional issues such as hallux valgus or hammertoes.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting psychiatric disability increased in severity during service, and granted service connection for this condition. The other claims were not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for flat feet and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.