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

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for pes planus effective January 18, 2002. The veteran's appeal is about the assignment of an earlier effective date.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including a left foot disability, low back disability, nicotine dependence, and pulmonary disability. The case is being sent back to the RO for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran seeks service connection for a right foot disability. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for psoriatic arthritis and a left foot disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's postoperative right nephrectomy and bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected postoperative right nephrectomy.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is characterized by severe pronation, pain, and tenderness that has affected her mobility. The Board finds a 50 percent rating for this condition to be appropriate.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left and right heel spurs with plantar fasciitis do not warrant a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral pes planus and rating reductions for postoperative scars were denied. The claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected sinusitis with rhinitis and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran did not establish a current diagnosis of these conditions or that they were incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current residuals of plantar warts, which were present during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for chondromalacia of the patella of the left knee, left Achilles tendonitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic arthritis of the left great toe is being remanded. Additionally, the RO should address the issue of service connection for additional disability of the left foot and provide a new letter to comply with notification requirements.

The Board is considering whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability. If so, the decision will determine if this evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus due to new and material evidence showing that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to sexual trauma and harassment she experienced while on active duty, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to VCAA compliance issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to invalidation of a regulation allowing for such development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims file, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her bilateral foot disabilities.