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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have plantar fasciitis that is related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's decreased visual acuity due to refractive error is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, and his pes planus with calluses, right foot, was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral metatarsalgia and TDIU due to a lack of objective evidence supporting significant disability related to his service-connected conditions, including pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's bilateral foot disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability and hammertoes clearly existed prior to his military service, and were not aggravated by active duty. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's pre-existing pes planus did not increase in severity during his active service and is therefore entitled to a presumption of soundness. The claim for PTSD remains pending as there was no adjudication on this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disability is secondary to nicotine dependence acquired in service, and his bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and folliculitis.

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

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the service-connected low back strain, effective from April 30, 2002. The veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 10 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for defective eyesight and glaucoma, but granted service connection for dental trauma for outpatient treatment purposes. The right foot arthritis with pes planus was rated at 20 percent disabling, while the left foot arthritis with pes planus was also rated at 20 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder or flat feet as a result of his service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of an injury to the left hand, initial compensable ratings for bilateral pes planus and a ganglion cyst of the right wrist, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip disorder.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's service connection and rating claims, including consideration of recent changes in VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding that pes planus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were linked to noise exposure during service, a skin rash and viral illness with dermatitis did not have evidence of an onset related to service, sleep apnea was not due to undiagnosed illness, irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed years after service without evidence linking it to service, joint pain was also diagnosed post-service without evidence linking it to service, and residuals of mole removal were asymptomatic.

The Board determined that the veteran's vocational limitations due to his service-connected schizophrenia, combined with multiple medical disorders and lack of formal education since 1975, make it infeasible for him to become gainfully employed.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate Guillain-Barré syndrome due to a swine flu vaccination, and his acquired psychiatric disorder, syphilis, right foot disability, and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence to support these claims. The decision also noted that new evidence submitted did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus and a left foot disability. The VA will also schedule the veteran for examinations to determine the nature and severity of any current disabilities.