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

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure compliance with the notice and duty-to-assist provisions of the Veteran's Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits are also being held in abeyance until the issue of service connection is re-adjudicated.

The Board found that the veteran's right foot disability did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and is not shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for a right foot disability was denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated medical records and conduct a new VA examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for post-traumatic arthritis, status post fracture, right calcaneus, with tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis, right ankle tendinitis, and bilateral retropatellar pain syndrome, finding no current disability and concluding that any pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for pes planus with hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and vocational rehabilitation records.

The veteran's claims seeking initial compensable evaluations for his chronic right and left ankle strain, as well as his chronic right and left knee strain, were denied due to an outstanding felony warrant for the veteran's arrest in California.

The VA has granted a 10% evaluation for chronic bilateral plantar fasciitis with corns, effective July 6, 2001. The claim for an initial compensable rating for epididymitis remains pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, vertigo, and tinnitus were denied. The effective dates of service connection for these conditions are also not established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis warrants a separate evaluation of 10 percent for each foot, effective July 1, 2001.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right foot disability related to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the disability more closely approximates a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for SSA disability benefits records, VA medical records from Biloxi and Gulfport VA Medical Centers, and inpatient clinical records from a private hospital. The veteran's representative will be notified of any further action required.

The Board has dismissed all issues due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, a sinus disorder, and a low back disorder. The decision concluded that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The veteran seeks service connection for leg and foot problems, which he claims began during active duty. The VA has ordered a medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have established service connection for heart disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The issues of psychiatric disability and flat feet are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records, as well as for addressing his claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to issues with notification and delivery of documents, as well as obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if appellant's pes planus underwent permanent worsening during service and whether he currently has a ruptured posterior tibial tendon or chronic residuals thereof.