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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and an increased rating for his knee disability. The evidence did not establish current disabilities for either condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements. The case will be returned to the Board after this process.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hammertoe deformities with bunions and blisters, circulatory problems of the lower extremities, and hypertension. The CAVC has now remanded the case to the Board for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's currently demonstrated bilateral pes planus is likely due to an injury sustained during service, and granted service connection for acquired bilateral pes planus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral plantar calluses with clawing of the toes and determined that preexisting bilateral plantar calluses worsened during active service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for flat feet should be remanded due to inadequate notice of the provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, kidney disability, bilateral foot disability, and back disability were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the veteran's feet and back disabilities, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the claims in light of any new evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee disability, left knee scar, pes planus, and dysentery are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection are also granted.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is not manifested by marked deformity, swelling on use, or characteristic callosities but does result in pain on manipulation and use of the feet. As a result, his disability rating for bilateral pes planus remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of her service-connected bilateral plantar fascitis and acquired flatfoot, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for her service-connected bilateral pes planus, currently evaluated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that a VA examination of the veteran's feet by an appropriate specialist is necessary to determine the current nature and severity of her condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected pes planus is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including a VA examination in a weightbearing position and obtaining any pertinent medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disability of the feet was not incurred in or aggravated during active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of his secondary service connection claim for plantar fasciitis with his pes planus rating. Additional evidence and a new examination are needed before further action can be taken.

The Board denied service connection for a foot disorder and a skin disorder of the feet, concluding that there was no increase in disability during service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left foot disabilities, finding that they do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on moderate disability criteria.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, which is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO has remanded the case due to procedural defects and the need for a new examination.