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

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, which was initially granted in June 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are not well grounded and thus denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left wrist injury, but denied an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The veteran is currently rated at 10% for his pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip and low back disabilities are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of causation or aggravation by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as it is currently rated at noncompensable (0%). The evidence shows mild flat foot deformity without swelling, weakness, or functional impairment requiring orthotics.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability and found it well grounded. The claims for service connection for left foot and ankle disabilities are also considered well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and left varicocele, finding that these conditions pre-existed his military service.,The veteran also claimed service connection for a bilateral leg disorder secondary to pes planus and sinusitis. The claim of service connection for sinusitis was not well-grounded.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a left ankle condition or weak ankles, and denied service connection for this issue. The veteran was granted an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for bilateral myofascial pain syndrome associated with the muscles of mastication and a right-side displaced meniscus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and pes planus of the left foot with corrected congenital clubfoot are not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral pes planus and traumatic arthritis of the right ankle do not warrant an increased evaluation, as they are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for plantar fasciitis as part of the veteran's existing foot injury and assigned a 10% rating for his left foot disability. The right foot disability is not rated due to its minimal symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and her Substantive Appeal. The veteran was granted a 70% disability rating for major depression, but not before November 21, 1996.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a plausible claim for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond December 31, 1994 due to insufficient evidence showing continued need for convalescence or severe postoperative residuals.

The veteran's bilateral calluses of the feet are productive of not more than symptomatology most consistent with some bilateral foot pain associated with bilateral weak foot, or bilateral anterior metatarsalgia. The Board finds that his disability is most closely analogous to either bilateral weak foot under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5277 (1999), or bilateral anterior metatarsalgia under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5279 (1999).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that her claims were not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus pre-existed service and was not aggravated during service. The other foot disorders were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for benign pleural plaques due to asbestos exposure. The claims for service connection for COPD and asthma as due to asbestos exposure are not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritic changes and bone spurs, finding that a 30 percent evaluation is appropriate based on the severity of his disability.