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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder, an acquired psychiatric disability to include a depressive disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not disabilities for which VA compensation benefits may be awarded.

The Board found that the veteran's current right foot and bilateral tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The veteran was denied service connection for a right foot disability, as there is no evidence of chronic disability resulting from an inservice injury. For tinnitus, the veteran received the maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Code 6260 (10 percent), and separate ratings for each ear are not allowed.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar keratosis, pes planus, and metatarsalgia is no more than severe in degree and thus does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened during his period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 11, 1996, for the grant of a TDIU based on his service-connected plantar calluses. The veteran did not meet the specific objective criteria for a TDIU until June 11, 1996, when he received a combined 60 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to include obtaining a VA examination and ensuring compliance with the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (VCAA).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot condition (pes planus) as there was no evidence of aggravation during service and no new or material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar-sacral spine, and pes planus.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for right shoulder, ankle fracture, and low back disorders.

The Board has remanded the case to the ROIC for additional development, including arranging for a VA examination and obtaining any additional evidence. The veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding it to be of service origin. The claim for a psychiatric disorder was denied as the evidence does not support its onset during or due to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability, teeth #1, 17, 21, 28, and 32, and a psychiatric disorder (depression). The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions associated with his active military duty.

The veteran's recurrent dermatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum available under current rating criteria.,The residuals of bilateral plantar warts are currently evaluated as noncompensable. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation for this condition.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and residuals of a bunionectomy of the left great toe, the maximum rating assignable under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the veteran's disability picture more nearly approximates severe impairment due to bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis, COPD, and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's right foot disability and left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support ratings greater than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected pes planus and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately compensated for the veteran's disabilities.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral pes planus, which he claims was aggravated by active military service. The RO has not obtained the veteran's treatment records from VA medical centers or a private podiatrist in Gainesville, Texas, and needs to do so before making a decision on his claim.

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for pes planus, but denied it due to lack of aggravation by service. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (service connection reopened) while others remained unresolved.