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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected conditions, including hypertension and right eye disability. The lumbosacral strain claim was partially granted with a 10 percent evaluation from August 30, 1996 to October 30, 1998, and a 40 percent evaluation thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of an injury to the right foot and did not reopen the claim for residuals of an injury to the left foot due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for low back disability, right foot disability, and an increased rating for residuals of fracture of the right ring finger. The claim for a compensable rating for the right ring finger was denied due to lack of residual impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and assigned a 10% rating for hemorrhoids as of December 1997. The increased rating claim for hemorrhoids is denied.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the veteran's current skin disorders to his service, specifically his exposure to chemical herbicides. The veteran's claims were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus (left foot), and hallux valgus (right foot) were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately compensate the veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for the chin laceration scar.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for foot disorders, including pes planus and hyperhidrosis due to new evidence provided by his private physician. The claim is well-grounded.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus as his claim was not well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is currently rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral pes planus is rated as noncompensable. The RO has granted these evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was not sufficient to establish a well-grounded claim for hypertension, but noted that further development of the issue was needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently manifested arthritis of the right foot and degenerative lumbar vertebral disease are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied all claims for service connection, finding that the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder. The chronic residuals of back injury and head injury were also not shown to be incurred in service. Plantar warts are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence. Spinal meningitis is not supported by medical evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's current foot problems are not well-grounded for service connection during his initial period of active duty, but did find a plausible claim for aggravation during his ACDUTRA. The decision is mixed as it grants some aspects and denies others.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection for urinary tract infection, disability manifested by scrotal pain, disability manifested by testicular pain, hip disability, ankle disability, right foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, or Crohn's disease. Service connection is granted for laceration scars of the right arm and chin.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and pes planus, do not preclude him from participating in all types of substantially gainful employment due to his educational background and occupational experience.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, fibromyalgia, photophobia, and bilateral foot disability are not well grounded as they do not present plausible claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss of the right ear are all service-connected. The decision grants these claims.