Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Board finds that the veteran had problems with his flat feet during service, which is sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board found no evidence of chronic back disorder in service and insufficient competent medical evidence to establish a connection between the veteran's current back disorder and his period of active duty service. Therefore, service connection for both pes planus and lumbar fusion claimed as back disorder was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO granted service connection for a scar on the right upper lip but assigned a no percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar neuromas, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to either service or a service-connected disability.

The Board determined that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18, and therefore did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The veteran's bilateral pes planus is found to have been incurred in active service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his Baker's cyst of the left knee and pes planus was granted, with specific ratings assigned. The Baker's cyst received a non-compensable rating prior to June 26, 2002, and a compensable rating thereafter. His bilateral pes planus received a non-compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, which is the maximum available under DC 5276.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, which is currently rated at 30 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only causes severe impairment without any additional symptoms that would warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including a VA orthopedic examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities were denied. The only granted claim was for a higher rating of lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left fifth toe warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent, but finds no evidence to support such a rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with postoperative osteotomies and recurrent plantar callosities warrants a 50 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of right foot, right knee, left ankle, or low back. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are pending further development.

The veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the right knee and left knee, as well as bilateral plantar bursitis, have been granted increased ratings effective March 4, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence supporting these claims.