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

The veteran's service-connected right foot disability, including intractable plantar keratosis with entrapped nerve and a contracted third toe, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted an additional 20 percent rating for the neurological manifestations of the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus, with Achilles tendonitis, with status postoperative repair, wedge resection, right 3rd metatarsal neck.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no increase in severity of his pre-existing condition during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for her low back, right knee, left knee, right foot, and right hip conditions. The appeals were based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board found that the veteran's visual and foot disabilities were not caused by VA treatment, as they resulted from an intervening event (diabetes) rather than negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on moderate disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted a 20 percent initial rating for bilateral metatarsalgia. The veteran appealed the denial of service connection.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation on account of need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied because his disabilities are due to a nonservice-connected stroke, not the service-connected obstructive pulmonary disease.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's bilateral pes planus, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, finding that any pre-existing condition did not undergo aggravation during service and was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected plantar fasciitis of both feet and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's right foot disability is manifested by pain, fatigue, lack of endurance, and x-ray evidence of arthritis. The Board has determined that the current 30 percent rating for his service-connected right foot disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization from November 24, 2000 to March 7, 2001 was denied as he did not receive treatment for his service-connected conditions during this period.

The veteran's combined service connected disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that while he has significant functional impairment, it does not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The RO granted service connection for pes planus, herniated nucleus pulposus at the L2 level with chronic low back pain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, pes planus, and herniated nucleus pulposus were granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's status post fracture of the left great toe, finding that it more nearly approximates the criteria for a moderately severe foot injury. The bilateral pes planus remains rated at 10 percent.