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

The VA has granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar warts and calluses, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected pes planus, right foot, finding that it is currently manifested by complaints of pain but without clinical evidence of marked deformity or swelling.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a stomach condition and also denied an increase in his rating for bilateral pes planus (with metatarsalgia and plantar callosities).

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral plantar warts, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new Diagnostic Code 7806. The veteran was currently rated at 10 percent disabling.

The veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The RO should adjudicate claims for service connection for a knee disorder and right ankle instability secondary to the service-connected flat feet, as well as remand the TDIU claim.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability, which included pes planus, heel spur syndrome, and plantar fasciitis, warranted a 50% rating effective May 5, 2001. The effective date was assigned based on the VA compensation examination conducted in connection with his claim for an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran's right foot disability preexisted service and did not undergo any increase in severity during service. Therefore, it was determined that the disability is not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as there is no evidence of more severe symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus. The Board also found that the veteran's preexisting flat feet were aggravated by his military service, warranting service connection.

The veteran's bilateral plantar warts are currently productive of complaints of painful tender feet, and objective evidence reveals callosities and recurrent warts causing pain and requiring frequent excision. The Board has granted an evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar warts.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and a left eye disability, finding that there is no evidence of any such disabilities during or immediately following service, and no competent medical evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus and right knee disability, diagnosed as genu varum, did not worsen during service beyond its normal progression. The right ankle disability is not currently shown to be present.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that new and material evidence supports this claim. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus remains unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of plantar callus of the right foot, finding that the August 1997 rating decision denying his application to reopen a claim of service connection for plantar warts was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for varicose veins of the left leg and bilateral pes planus were denied as there is no evidence showing that his conditions have worsened to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral foot disorders or residuals of bronchitis/bronchial pneumonia that are related to service. The veteran's current conditions were not incurred during his period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected plantar fasciitis and right ankle sprain with malleolar avulsion fracture, finding that he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations and did not provide any good cause.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for sinusitis from October 7, 1996 through July 24, 2001. The veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, status post right foot surgery with residual right first metatarsophalangeal joint strain, and numbness of the left side of the tongue with decreased facial articulation were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.