Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis and bilateral pes planus, without consideration of any other disabilities, render him unemployable. The Board grants a total disability evaluation for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature of any current osteoarthritis of the spine and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence. It is found that his pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated in service, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's bilateral pes planus and determined that his spinal stenosis is secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The veteran's claim for exclusion from countable income as medical expenses the purchase of an air conditioner and water tank in 1998 was denied because he failed to establish that these purchases were medically necessary for his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and new evidence was submitted to reopen his claim of a sleep disorder, but it was determined that the new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim. The RO also denied an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection based on aggravation.

The Board has determined that service connection for a foot disorder is not warranted, and the veteran's claims for knee disorder as due to an undiagnosed illness are also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, as well as her requests for service connection for a right hip arthroscopy and earlier effective dates. The decision also noted that she did not file timely appeals for these issues.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, but he received a 50% rating for his bilateral pes planus. He also received TDIU benefits and is eligible for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot disorder due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that with reasonable doubt, the veteran incurred plantar fasciitis in his right foot during service. However, the left foot disorder is not considered to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral flat feet warrant a 30 percent rating, effective from August 6, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected right knee arthroscopy and plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and other service-connected conditions were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that the appellant's flat feet preexisted his entry into service and were not aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral knee disorders are of service origin. The hearing loss was not shown during service or currently. The low back strain is already rated at its maximum disability level.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no competent medical opinion linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, bilateral pes planus, and dorsal spine disability. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus. The veteran's disabilities were rated at 10% each.