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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and a bilateral foot disability are not well-grounded, as he has not submitted appropriate medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and increased ratings for benign prostatic hypertrophy and tinea cruris. The effective date is not specified as the decision was made in March 1998.

The veteran's claims for compensation, service connection, specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, automobile and adaptive equipment, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate have all been denied. The denial is due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board denied all issues related to service connection and evaluations for the veteran's joint conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (manifest by lactose intolerance), and pes planus with plantar fasciitis are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The veteran was granted a compensable rating of 10% for her bilateral plantar fasciitis but not for her bilateral pes planus or lung condition.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination of the effect of his alcohol and drug abuse on his employability.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral flat feet do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as they are only mild in degree and do not show symptoms such as weight-bearing lines over or medial to the great toes, inward bowing of the Achilles tendon, or pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. Service connection has been established for neck disability, back disability, bilateral knee and leg disabilities, pes planus, and hearing loss. Increased ratings have been assigned for hypertension and skin disorders.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder is well-grounded. The RO will be required to obtain additional information and evidence from the veteran regarding his claimed in-service stressor, including potential verification of such events through the U.S. Armed Service Center for Research of Unit Records (USASCRUR).

The veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability was reopened and granted. His PTSD claim was also granted, with both conditions determined to be directly related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his bilateral pes planus with bunionectomy was denied by the RO in May 1995. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current level of disability and whether extraschedular consideration should be applied.

The veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and bilateral foot disabilities are not well grounded, as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for left knee pain, lumbar arthralgia (back pain), and plantar wart are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation during service and awarded a 30 percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the distal right radius.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that they are not well grounded and thus do not meet the criteria for compensation under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, diabetes, and an ear disability. The decision also noted that new evidence submitted since the July 1955 rating decision was not considered material to reopen the claim for bilateral pes planus.

The Board is remanding the issue of service connection for pes planus for further development. The issues of service connection for degenerative disease of the back and hips are referred to the RO pending readjudication of the pes planus claim.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the veteran's bilateral pes planus, effective from when his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease was increased to 20 percent.