Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a bilateral foot disability secondary to diabetes mellitus are not before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left foot disabilities are etiologically related to his active military service, granting service connection for both.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia-related disability, liver disability, and psychiatric disability characterized by stress and anxiety. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected pes planus with calcaneal spurs and plantar fasciitis of each foot is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO has denied increased evaluations for these conditions. For the lumbar spine disability, a new VA examination was requested due to the passage of time since the last evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left scapula fracture and bilateral flat feet have been denied. The Board found that the veteran has no more than minimal functional impairment from his in-service left shoulder injury, and that his pes planus does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral weak foot disability, characterized by pronounced impairment and limited motion, warrants a 50 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for his bilateral weak foot disability has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran prior to the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extra-schedular rating and total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the disability did not result in marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not show that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disability, gynecological disability, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, right shoulder and jaw disorders, chronic headaches, allergies, and hearing loss. The decision also addressed presumptive service connection claims based on undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has determined that the appellant's chronic residuals of in-service injuries to the shoulders, right knee, and left ankle are service-connected. Additionally, it is found that his preexisting bilateral foot disorder was aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board Hearing. The case will be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it did not have jurisdiction over Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Loan Center's mortgage foreclosure and the authority to reinstate a mortgage that is in default.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral plantar warts with great toe callosity and a compensable rating for residuals of hemorrhoidectomy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 30 percent for these conditions, as they do not meet the criteria for more severe disability levels under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by no more than moderate symptoms such as pain on use and manipulation of the feet, which does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current non-compensable evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his inability to work is due to non-service connected psychological issues.

The veteran was granted a 10% disability rating for service-connected pes planus effective January 18, 2002. The Board found that the earlier entitlement to this rating could not be established.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, a multi-level back condition, bilateral heel spurs and multiple joint arthralgias, and flat feet, hallux valgus and second hammer toes, bilateral. The Board found that these conditions were not shown to have been present during active duty or due to in-service injuries.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the ratings for left elbow tendonitis and bilateral pes planus, leaving only the rating for low back disorder to be decided.