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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus with plantar callosities warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting marked deformity and pain on manipulation and use accentuated.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, undifferentiated type. However, the claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, a left leg disorder, and bilateral pes planus remain denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations in excess of 10 percent for various conditions, including left and right knee pain, flat feet, ankle disability, depression, and hip pain. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.,Service connection for COPD was denied due to lack of in-service manifestations and current findings are not related to service.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated 50 percent disabling, while his claims for shell fragment wounds (SFW) to the lower extremities, bilateral pes planus, and onychomycosis are granted. The service connection for these conditions is presumed due to combat experience.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including heart condition, hypertension, skin condition, hearing loss, and disabilities related to exposure to herbicides. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues, and denied his claims of service connection for a low back disorder, glaucoma with decreased visual acuity of the right eye, and hypertension with headaches and dizziness.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe that he is unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for recurrent left knee strain, status post arthroscopy with partial meniscectomy and plantar fasciitis.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The scar of the forehead has been evaluated as noncompensable.

The veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected fallen third metatarsals, bilateral. The Board has determined that additional VA examination and development are needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by military service, but there is no evidence of tinea pedis and tinea cruris in service or otherwise related to service. The veteran's claim for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia, status post surgical repair, is not manifested by a recurrent direct or indirect hernia and denied entitlement to a compensable rating. The claim for entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no objective evidence of marked deformity or severe spasm on manipulation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed his period of active service and was not aggravated by it. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for gout and left plantar fasciitis, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and are not related to any service-connected disability.