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

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO continued the maximum schedular evaluation for bilateral pes planus with shortening of the left lower extremity, but did not grant an increase in rating for lumbosacral strain or vitiligo dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a lumbar puncture and bilateral pes planus are not well-grounded. The current residuals of a lumbar puncture have not been demonstrated or diagnosed, and there is no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral pes planus to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral foot disability are not well grounded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability, to include hammertoes, based on new evidence submitted since the September 1978 decision. The claim is now considered in light of all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded. The current evaluation of 50 percent for anxiety reaction is maintained as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for intractable plantar keratosis of the right foot has been granted, and she is now receiving a 10% rating. The effective date of this grant is May 30, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Keane and securing a VA examination.

The veteran's initial ratings for bilateral varicose veins and pes planus have been granted, with a combined rating of 10 percent. The scar from breast cyst removal is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination findings. The RO must obtain additional VA medical records, conduct a comprehensive physical examination, and reassess the severity of his disabilities before deciding on his pension eligibility.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or a grant of service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims but found them not well grounded. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or a link to service for all claimed conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right foot condition, which includes a calcaneal spur, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus, does not warrant an evaluation higher than 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle arthritis is related to his in-service injury, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for poor circulation in both legs is not well-grounded as there is no competent evidence linking it to service. The claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is also not well-grounded due to the preexisting nature of the disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was not well-grounded and denied his increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The veteran's current complaints of pain do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus existed prior to his active military service and did not worsen during service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and PTSD, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of bilateral pes planus and concluding that the veteran's PTSD is not substantiated.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and nasal fracture, finding that they were not well-grounded. The claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for nasal fracture was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, right shoulder disability, and residuals of head injury are denied as they do not meet the criteria for well-groundedness.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for perforation of the left eardrum and increased ratings for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left hand and bilateral pes planus. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection, and his current disabilities were found to be related to his military service.