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

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining evidence and records related to her service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, which is the highest possible under the rating schedule. The decision also notes that the veteran's employability would be affected by his feet disorder but that sedentary employment was feasible.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral flat feet, finding that the symptoms were no more than moderate and did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and an increased rating for left calcaneus fracture residuals, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during service. The veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 10 percent disabling, does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee, right ankle, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities. The RO found that these conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The veteran's PTSD, asthma, and other service-connected conditions resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent as of May 27, 1999. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are established based on when the disabilities became factually ascertainable.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service, and denied his claim for service connection. For the left thigh shell fragment wound, while the veteran reported pain and soreness, there was no evidence of limitation of function or tenderness on objective demonstration, thus denying an increased evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current left knee and left foot conditions are not related to his October 1992 fall at a VA hospital, and therefore denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for these disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected history of plantar wart of the left foot, finding that there was no evidence of any active pathology or residual from this condition. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding no competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and hallux valgus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board determined that the January 1962 rating decision denying service connection for pes planus was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability was denied initially in June 1981. After the initial denial, the veteran filed a notice of disagreement and requested an appeal. The RO did not issue a statement of the case following this notice of disagreement, which prevented the original decision from becoming final. As a result, the claim remains open for further consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pes planus and left shoulder disorder did not warrant higher ratings, while finding that his PTSD warranted a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to October 7, 1996 did not meet the schedular requirements for a total rating based on unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis due to failure to report for scheduled VA orthopedic examinations.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.