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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disorder. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, finding that his symptoms are primarily manifested by complaints of bilateral foot pain and tenderness, with no evidence of bone deformities or swelling. The current 10% rating adequately compensates him for any functional loss due to pain.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board determined that the appellant's gastrointestinal disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The Board found no evidence of a current chronic gastrointestinal disability related to service, and concluded that any currently manifested gastrointestinal disability is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for pes planus and hallux valgus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran is found to be unemployable due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including depression and multiple other conditions.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective December 21, 2001. His low back disability is rated at 10 percent since March 17, 1997. The Board has granted service connection for his right and left knee disabilities, pancreatitis, inguinal hernia, sinusitis, and arthritis of the feet and knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated during active service, and his claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a chip fracture of the left fifth finger is denied as there is no competent evidence linking the current condition to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, impaired vision, and a bilateral foot disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to service-connected residuals of a right patellar fracture with traumatic arthritis and a total knee replacement was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's pancreatitis claim has not been substantiated by the medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his knee and foot disabilities, including obtaining recent treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be re-adjudicated after the development.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees, as well as bilateral plantar fasciitis, were denied. The conditions are characterized by mild symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, finding that the disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, right foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and right knee disorder (claimed as residuals of shrapnel wound). The claim for encephalitis was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and original disability ratings in several cases, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with bipolar disorder, right knee tendonitis, lumbar strain, acne vulgaris, and pes planus.

The veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic foot disability that began in or was aggravated by military service.

The Board granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and assigned a noncompensable rating, effective June 4, 2000. Separate initial compensable ratings were also granted for hallux valgus on the right and left.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective November 15, 2004. The right foot disability remains rated at 10 percent. Service connection for a right hip disability was granted.