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

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral pes planus warrants a rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. Further development is required, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, residuals of a viral infection (including bronchitis and strep throat), and PTSD. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral foot disability.

The veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence submitted in support of her claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to procedural defects and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing notice under the VCAA.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for postoperative nasal polyposis and lumbosacral spine arthritis to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship of these disabilities to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain, left ankle disability, plantar fasciitis, hemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal disorder. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing chronic disabilities in service or continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension as there was no diagnosis of the condition during service or at any point after service.

The Board denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and schizophrenia due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, and left knee disability as the evidence did not show any more than severe or minimal conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disorder, manifested by arthritis of both knees, is causally related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the failure to file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis claim. The remaining claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, ankle arthritis, knee disability, and low back disability as secondary to a bilateral pes planus disability. The disabilities were not shown by competent evidence to be causally related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee and bilateral pes planus, as well as service connection for a left knee disability. The RO granted service connection for both conditions but did not assign compensable ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and failure to obtain necessary medical records.

The veteran's claim for additional compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of his spouse was denied as no claim had been filed prior to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a skin disorder of the feet, finding that the conditions existed prior to service or were not related to service. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disability prior to August 4, 1997.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral flat feet was remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to incomplete development and need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an extension of a temporary total rating beyond August 31, 1991 for convalescence following treatment for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with weak ankles. The initial ratings for arthritis of both ankles are also granted.