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

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for COPD as secondary to pleurisy, and pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and secondary service connection for a back disorder claimed as secondary to bilateral pes planus. The veteran's pes planus was found not to have been aggravated by service, and there is no medical evidence linking the back disorder to any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural issues and potential need for additional evidence regarding the veteran's service in the Army National Guard.

The Board found no evidence of a current left foot disability, including mid-foot arthrosis, for which service connection may be granted. The veteran's claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The case is being remanded back to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease and hammertoes is rated at 30 percent, effective January 1988. The left knee issues are rated as 20 percent prior to October 23, 2000, and the arthritis of the left knee warrants a separate compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his medical records and an examination to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the appellant's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal is not complete as it pertains to service connection for a skin disability, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The issues of entitlement to service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and a bilateral foot disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, leaving only the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and other conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for her service-connected postoperative plantar warts were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a clear increase in disability during the year prior to April 14, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine condition, including headaches and numbness of the right arm, is service-connected. The remaining claims for asthma, TMJ syndrome, a right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left ankle or foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's pre-existing pes planus was not aggravated by service, while his in-service tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right foot injury and service connection for plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, and muscle spasms, finding that these conditions were not related to his military service.

The veteran's flat feet with osteoarthritis are rated at 20 percent since May 13, 2003. His hypertension and DDD of the back remain at 10 percent ratings.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of pes planus and the currently diagnosed conditions (plantar fascitis and foot calluses) are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral foot and left knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.