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

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and esophageal stricture and a hiatal hernia, do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran has an employment handicap and meets the criteria for basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain, cervical spine disability, and left foot disability have been granted increased ratings to a total of 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for pes planus or flat feet (claimed as fallen arches) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral pes planus originated in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted the appellant's claims for service connection and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for post surgical residuals of the second metatarsal bone of the right foot, effective from August 26, 2000. The claim for plantar calluses of both feet was also granted but with no specific rating assigned.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a left middle finger fracture was denied.,The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it was determined that the condition was not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disability (other than a scar), left knee disability, or bilateral ankle disability related to his military service. The claim for a left knee scar is denied as there is no evidence of chronic worsening due to service. Service connection was also denied for pes planus.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection of pes planus of the right foot, but granted service connection for left foot disability. The issue of a compensable rating for a scar on the chin was remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip and left foot disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus cannot be granted secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The Board also found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disability was aggravated during active service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left plantar wart, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's right foot disability, characterized by history of right plantar fasciitis and status post bony spur removal of the fourth toe, warranted a 20 percent evaluation. The appeal was denied as the condition did not meet criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to acoustic trauma incurred in service. The RO granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to noise trauma during service.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, a back disorder, and pes planus. The previous denials of these claims are considered final.