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

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for residuals of a ligamentous injury of the left ankle, finding that the veteran's service-connected condition causes functional losses approximating marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for TMJ disability, plantar fasciitis, and uveitis/iritis. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 8, 1999 and as 30 percent disabling effective December 8, 1999.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus remains on appeal.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of service connection for plantar fascitis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for plantar warts and calluses of the feet is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for a right leg disability and respiratory condition were denied. Service connection was granted for bilateral pes planus with hindfoot valgus, but the pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during service.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right foot disabilities, but granted entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation for his low back disability. The claim for reopening of the right foot disability was not reopened.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus of the right foot preexisted active service and was aggravated during active duty. However, his pes planus of the left foot did not originate during active duty and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow epicondylitis, right elbow epicondylitis, low back disorder, right hip disability, right ankle disability, and right foot disability. The reasons were that these conditions were not incurred or related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a left knee injury, a low back disability, or bilateral pes planus. The claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus as there was no evidence of the condition during service or at any time post-service, and no current diagnosis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus, as the evidence is stale and he has requested one.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, finding that none of them meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death. The Board found that the veteran's suicide was due to depression caused by a nonservice-connected condition (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as incurred in service. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial. The claims for residuals of low back injury, neck injury, bilateral leg disability, knee disability, and foot disabilities remain denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral shin splints as they are presumed to have existed prior to service and were aggravated by active duty.,For the veteran's bilateral pes planus, the condition was noted at service entry but not symptomatic. The Board found that it was aggravated during service.