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

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot disability is proximately due to his service-connected back and knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot disability, including a flexion deformity of the right great toe and associated hammertoes, had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied the other issues, finding that it was at least as likely as not that the veteran developed tinnitus during his military service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and right fifth finger disorder are all rated as noncompensable. The veteran is granted a compensable rating for his right hand fifth digit injury.

The veteran's multiple conditions, including anxiety disorder and arthritis, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left heel disability other than plantar fasciitis and right carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right plantar fasciitis, status post release, with heel spurs was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected knee, foot, and low back disabilities. The veteran did not have a currently diagnosed bilateral elbow disability, cervical spine disability, heart condition, or left-sided paralysis as a residual of a stroke.

The Board found no evidence of a current left foot disability and concluded that the veteran's service did not result in any chronic left foot disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the effective date of March 27, 2001 is correct because the depression was first claimed on that date.

The veteran's disabilities, including asbestosis with emphysema and pulmonary hypertension, recurrent right ankle sprains, depressive reaction/passive dependent personality/paranoid schizophrenia, duodenal ulcer, post-operative left nevus conjunctiva, bilateral foot disability, hiatal hernia, and refractive error, rendered him so helpless that he required regular aid and attendance of another person prior to April 9, 1999.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disability, bilateral pes planus, residuals of amputation of the third toe of the right foot, chronic headaches, and scars behind the ears. The appeals are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for tinea pedis and plantar corns of both feet was denied. The veteran also had claims regarding hearing loss, which were partially addressed with a non-compensable rating for the period prior to November 6, 2001, and no higher rating after that date.,The VA determined that the veteran's tinea pedis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the old or new diagnostic codes. The plantar corns were rated as noncompensable due to their mild nature.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, hypertension, depression, low back strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not permanently worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected left foot disability, which includes arthritis of the left great toe and a history of surgery at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, causes no more than moderately severe impairment. The Board has determined that an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral pes planus and lumbosacral strain, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a 10 percent evaluation, and his residuals of fracture of second toe, left foot, warrant no compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of initial rating assignment for a bilateral foot disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder (including as secondary to a left foot disorder), and esotropia have been denied. The claim for service connection for headaches is pending.