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

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, depression, and peptic ulcer disease. The claims were reopened based on new evidence provided by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and clarification of symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions were not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but denied the remaining claims on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression), or sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and evidence, need for VA compensation examination, and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of motion of the dorsal spine due to potential interrelatedness with a separate disability and changes in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral foot disability and speech disability were not incurred or aggravated during active service, as there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation. The pre-existing conditions were deemed to have existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected stress fractures of the right and left femurs, as well as her left foot disability, do not warrant an increased rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, with some issues being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for pes planus due to the appellant's withdrawal of this issue.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus were denied, and the appeal regarding the January 1969 rating decision denying service connection was also denied. The RO granted separate 30 percent ratings for left and right pes planus effective from June 13, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated during his period of active duty, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss disability, and residuals of perforated eardrums. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that there are no residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot and that any current symptoms are due to nonservice-connected foot disorders. Therefore, the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected gunshot wound to the left foot is denied.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, and his fungus infection of both feet remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking the foot problems to the knees.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic bilateral foot disability, finding no evidence of such condition in service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to determine if the veteran's current left foot disability is related to injury or reinjury during service.