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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disability and leg disability, as well as an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for her degenerative disc disease. The evidence did not support current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding no new and material evidence to support the claim.

The Board denied all claims for increased evaluations as the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. The veteran's conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations without any indication of aggravation or additional disability.

The Board found that the evidence submitted did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for pes planus, as it was not new and material.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and preexisting bilateral pes planus were chronic in service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for a right leg disability, foot disability, and bilateral hip disability are not well grounded. However, service connection is granted for a bilateral hip disability as secondary to his service-connected post-operative herniated nucleus pulposus.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is well-grounded and granted it. The claim for service connection for a gynecological disorder was not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for his scar residual from excision of dermal fibroma of the left little finger, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for swollen joints, left foot disability, anxiety, low back disability, respiratory disorder, and lung disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis or link to these conditions during or after active service.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and denied service connection for this condition. For his right knee disability, the Board noted a current diagnosis of crepitus without instability or deformity but concluded there was no permanent increase in severity due to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability and depression are not well-grounded, and thus denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his fungus infection of the feet and plantar keratosis of the left foot, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate given the symptoms described.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for pes planus, cavernous hemangioma of the left lower extremity, and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis of the feet (other than residuals of a fracture of the navicular bone of the right foot with traumatic arthritis), claimed as residuals of frostbite. The Board found that these conditions are not shown to be residuals of frostbite.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a right foot disability, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for the low back disability. The right foot disability claim is also denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal for her right foot disability claim, and denied her claims of service connection for PTSD and skin disorders due to lack of well-grounded evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is not well-grounded, and his appeal for a compensable evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease with history of peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, and duodenitis is denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1982 rating action that did not consider service connection for pes planus, as there was no claim filed at that time.