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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any low back, hip, knee, or pes planus disability that might be present.

The Board found that the veteran's prostatitis with right epididymitis, bilateral pes planus, and calcification of the interosseus ligament of the right distal tibia are each rated at their current levels. The veteran is granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA orthopedic examination and obtaining pertinent treatment records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, specifically bilateral flat feet, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical inquiry.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of post-operative right Achilles tendon rupture do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected right foot disability, residuals of post-operative excision of right sesamoid bone and lengthening of Achilles tendon. The condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the veteran's service-connected disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations and revisions in evaluation criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if his left foot disability and skin disability are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left foot disability and neurological disorder. The right foot and left ankle disabilities were found not to be of service origin or related to any service-connected condition. The low back disability was also determined not to be of service origin or related to a service-connected condition.

Service connection for tinea pedis and tinea unguium was granted with an effective date of December 2, 1994. A rating in excess of 30 percent for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's motion for advancement on the docket due to his advanced age and overall medical condition. The case was remanded multiple times, resulting in an increased rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus effective from January 1991.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for pes planus with foot strain and residuals of neck strain were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral flat feet were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's chronic acquired variously diagnosed left foot disorder is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right ankle, and therefore grants secondary service connection. The Board also finds that the appellant's current right ankle disability warrants an increased evaluation to 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, finding that his bilateral foot disability did not increase in severity during service and was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disability evaluation of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis with minimal arthritis does not adequately reflect the severity of his condition, and thus denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA eye examination and a review of the veteran's claims folder to determine if there is new and material evidence sufficient to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability. The right foot disability issue remains pending with the RO, as does the PTSD-related ulcer claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a sleep disorder, and musculoskeletal disabilities of his lower extremities. The appeals for reopening claims regarding headache disorder, low back disability, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) were also denied.