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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left heel plantar wart and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hallux valgus existed prior to her entry into service and was aggravated by active military service. Therefore, she is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal regarding service connection for rhinitis, hypertension, pes planus, hearing loss and tinea cruris as well as entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. The reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent in the rating for right eye blindness was improper.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for night sweats, a right hamstring condition as secondary to tinea pedis, and flat feet. The claim for an increased evaluation for tinea pedis was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of pronounced bilateral pes planus with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces on both feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo Achilles on manipulation.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeal.

The veteran's claims for shin splints, pes planus, and hearing loss were denied by the RO in May 1999. The case is being remanded due to changes in the law.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for arthritis in the hands, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and osteoarthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spine. The evaluations were found to be appropriate based on the current functional impairment.

The Board denied increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and plantar fasciitis with a calcaneal spur of the left foot, as both conditions are rated at their maximum compensable levels.

The veteran's service-connected chronic plantar fasciitis, left, is rated at 20 percent. The veteran's service-connected sinusitis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's left foot disability, which includes a crush injury with compartment syndrome, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that the condition warrants an increased rating to 30 percent based on severe functional impairment due to pain and fibrosis of the intrinsic muscles.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a back injury and chronic pes planus. The timeliness of his substantive appeals for other conditions was also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right sacroiliac joint tenderness with a history of low back strain, bilateral pes planus, chondromalacia of the left knee, and chondromalacia of the right knee.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of the original grant of service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development of his claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the appellant's preexisting pes planus was aggravated by service, and he is now entitled to service connection for his bilateral foot disorder consisting of pes planus (including bulging talus, hammertoes, and hallux valgus).

The Board found that the veteran did not file timely substantive appeals for his initial grant of service connection and denied jurisdiction to consider these issues. The claim for a higher evaluation for lumbosacral strain was granted, but the rating assigned (40%) is maintained as sufficient evidence supports this determination.