Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, gastrointestinal disorder, and pes planus with metatarsalgia. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip condition, back condition, and gynecological condition are no longer in appeal status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee injury and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral flat feet and right knee condition were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's separation pay was properly recouped from her VA disability compensation due to the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.700(a)(5)(i).

The veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral foot disability, which he claims was caused by frostbite during his military service. The Board has determined that additional evidence and an examination are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and for an increased rating for vitiligo. The veteran was not shown to have a current left foot disability, and his vitiligo did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to September 16, 2005, or for a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hammertoes, both feet with plantar callosities and talipes cavus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic bilateral foot disorder to include pes planus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, active duty, and active duty for training. The veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis were granted service connection with a 10 percent evaluation effective October 23, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow tendonitis and denied service connection for bilateral pes planus. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered due to active duty service.

The RO must obtain SSA records related to the veteran's disability benefits and adjudicate his eligibility for VA medical care based on these records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any knee, ankle, or foot disorders.

The Board has found the veteran's entitlement to service connection for flat feet. The low back disability issue is addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated by service, as it preexisted active duty and did not increase in severity during service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with hammertoes does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating based on an extraschedular evaluation as his disability is rated at 50% and he has other occupational experience. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus is the maximum schedular rating allowed, and there are no factors warranting consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, given his educational background and occupational experience.

The veteran's bilateral flat feet with plantar calluses and status post bilateral metatarsal osteotomies are currently evaluated at 30 percent. The extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery on the right foot is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus is service-connected, but denied his claim for a psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly existed prior to service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.