Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative callosities of the right foot with plantar warts, currently evaluated at 30 percent. The manifestations of the condition are severe but do not result in loss of use of the foot.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability and found new evidence sufficient to reopen the case. The issue of a compensable evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee is also addressed, with no rating assigned as there was no effective date provided.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and plantar warts, finding that the preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service.

The veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements for Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation benefits due to his service-connected right ankle disorder, which resulted in significant employment impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected keloid scars, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and posttraumatic ligament injury to the right wrist do not warrant an increased rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is not service-connected and denied her claim for increased evaluation of bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's spouse was awarded additional VA compensation benefits effective February 1, 2000. The Board found that the veteran did not receive the August 1993 notice and form from the RO, but concluded he had received it based on administrative regularity.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with bunions, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran's right and left great toe hallux valgus are separately rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left ankle sprains, pes planus (right foot), and pes planus (left foot). The RO assigned a 10% evaluation to each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral pes planus do not warrant increased evaluations as there is no evidence of muscle spasm on extreme forward bending or unilateral loss of lateral spine motion in standing position, which are required for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5295.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, which was initially denied in September 1978. The appellant's testimony did not present competent medical evidence of a nexus between his current bilateral pes planus and his active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot disability, which was previously denied in an August 1993 rating decision. The appeal is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a left calcaneal spur is granted. The RO will conduct further development to determine the etiology of the calcaneal spur and its relationship to the service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee and pes planus disabilities did not increase in severity during service, and his respiratory disability was not incurred or aggravated by service. As a result, these claims are denied.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, which was rated at 10 percent since May 27, 1997.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and awarded a 10% disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board denied an increase in a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and pes varus, finding that there was no evidence to show an increase in severity during service or current manifestations.

The Board denied service connection for night sweats, flat feet, and a compensable rating for tinea pedis. The veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to his military service.