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

The veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disorder, lung disorder (asthma), and chin disorder have been granted. The lung disorder is specifically noted as bronchial asthma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an effective date earlier than January 6, 1994, for his plantar wart of the left foot. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation beyond the current 50 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral pes planus, with collapse of the medial arches and secondary arthritic changes, is a result of his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, heel and ankle spurs, right hip disorder, and back disorder were denied as they are not considered to be incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have arthritis of the right knee, bilateral pes planus and/or residuals of trauma to the right foot, or varicose veins of the right leg as a result of disease or injury during service. The claims are denied.

The Board determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of chronic pes planus in service or currently.

The veteran does not have any current disability in his knees, feet, or legs that can be attributed to service. The Board has determined that the veteran's complaints of knee pain are more likely related to overuse rather than a service-connected right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and right femur fracture (hip) in previous decisions. The veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,No specific exposure basis or presumption is mentioned, and the decision does not indicate whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service. Service connection was granted for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his low back disability, right foot disability, right knee disability, and left thigh and knee disability. The reasons were that the veteran's low back disabilities did not stem from his shell fragment wound residuals, and there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability, left leg varicose veins, bilateral pes planus, and left testicular varicocele were incurred during his military service. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus preexisted service and did not undergo any permanent increase in severity during his period of active military service. Therefore, it denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and right foot disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The case is considered 'mixed' as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving a neck strain, plantar warts, cellulitis of the left ankle, or residuals of a crush injury to the left hand. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's flat feet disability was incurred during active service, while his cervical spondylolysis is not shown to be related to his period of service.