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

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus disability underwent an increase in disability during active service, and therefore, service connection is granted for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is productive of pain, weakness, fatigability and incoordination which results in pronounced disability. The medical and other evidence of record ascribes the veteran's impaired gait, his use of a cane, and his extremely limited mobility to pes planus.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral plantar calluses do not warrant a higher evaluation, as they are primarily manifested by painful callouses with increased pain on walking or standing for 20 minutes and pronation. The symptoms more nearly approximate those contemplated by the current 30 percent rating under DC 5276.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a low back disability are all granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus with callosities, which was previously denied in May 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The VA determined that the veteran's combined disability rating of 50 percent does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as none of them are rated at least 40 percent disabling and do not combine to reach 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet, but denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease as it is not related to the veteran's service-connected flat feet.

The veteran's reactive airway disease is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted service connection for a small patent foramen ovale. Other claims of service connection are denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected bilateral pes planus and postoperative residuals of right metatarsal surgery.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, the current lowest non-compensable rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss and low back disorder were not service-connected. The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, which he had prior to enlistment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current foot and elbow disabilities are related to service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus (flat foot) of the left foot, finding that it pre-existed service but was aggravated during service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or retain gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from November 25, 1997 to December 11, 1998, and later increased the evaluation to 30 percent effective December 11, 1998. Service connection for tinnitus and scalp dermatitis were also denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and determination of his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.