Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's claimed bilateral pes planus, a back disorder, and residuals of asbestos exposure. The claims were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbance, headaches, skin condition, and gastrointestinal problems, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The diagnoses provided by VA medical providers indicated that these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or general anxiety.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or a link to military service.

The VA has denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, arthritis of the knees, and residuals of blood poisoning of the left great toe. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and a podiatrist's examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right foot pes planus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for a right knee disorder was not addressed due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that his symptoms approximate the criteria for such an evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 10, 1999 for a compensable rating for his left foot disability. The decision found that no earlier effective date was warranted due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability prior to March 10, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disability, brain injury residuals, cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral shoulder and foot disabilities, chest pains, and hearing loss were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of current flat feet disability and denied service connection for both flat feet and plantar fasciitis. The appellant's current diagnosis is only of bilateral plantar fasciitis, which the Board did not find to be related to his military service.

The veteran claims that he has bilateral pes planus, which he alleges was aggravated by his military service. The RO requested additional medical records from a private doctor to determine the severity of the condition and its relation to service.

The RO granted a 30% rating for the veteran's bilateral foot disorder effective June 5, 2000. The veteran sought an earlier effective date but was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot disability does not warrant a higher rating, as it is currently evaluated at 10 percent. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service or their relation to already service-connected disabilities.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral foot disability or right and left great toe disorder as a result of service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 1998. Therefore, an earlier effective date for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The veteran's major depression is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent, effective August 8, 2003.