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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability in November 1987 and April 1996, and the veteran argues that these decisions should be revised or reversed on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Board found no CUE.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as his condition is currently treated with dietary restrictions and oral hypoglycemic agents without requiring insulin or regulation of activities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an employment handicap, and he has successfully maintained employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his bilateral frozen feet, PTSD and right thigh gunshot wound disabilities.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection and assigned initial ratings for her lumbosacral strain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and left middle finger tendonitis. The initial rating of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain was increased to 20 percent effective from March 20, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations for his claimed conditions, finding that none of the conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has found no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and concludes that none are related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and compensation for his left foot plantar verruca, left pelvis rami fracture residuals, and left seventh rib fracture. The appeals were not about service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his claims for bilateral ankle and low back disabilities are also being considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and for further clarification of claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records and a need for further evaluation by VA specialists.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a huge symptomatic plantar wart on his left foot and sebaceous cysts over his facial area, finding no evidence of such conditions during service or related to exposure to herbicides. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left foot disabilities, as well as her lumbosacral strain disability, were denied. The veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, valgus deformity of both ankles, and post-operative fistula in ano. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected pes planus, finding that it meets the criteria under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral pes planus and PTSD were denied. Service connection for cold injury residuals was not addressed as it is discussed in the remand portion. The claim to reopen service connection for left ankle, right knee injuries, hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted due to new evidence submitted.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology of the veteran's fibrositis/fibromyalgia and bilateral foot disability, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and right foot disabilities, as well as his requests for earlier effective dates for TMJ and GERD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition. The veteran's bilateral foot condition, manifested by pain and classified as plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia of the feet, had its onset in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is productive of severe disability, warranting a 30 percent rating.