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

The Board found that the veteran's low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The psychiatric disability (Major Depression) is considered a separate issue from the service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for fibromyalgia was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's tension headaches, bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, or bilateral eye disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, lower back disability, and left knee disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye condition and a left foot disability, finding that new evidence did not establish a link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus had its onset during his period of military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a fractured left long finger and service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The RO found no evidence of the claimed conditions during or within one year after his periods of active duty, and there was no medical opinion linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left foot, right knee, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The veteran's hypertension was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoidectomy, plantar warts of the left heel, and liver cysts as there is no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria. The claim for an effective date earlier than May 30, 2000 for the award of a 100% rating for polycystic kidney disease with hypertension and congestive heart failure was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on an extraschedular basis, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to the failure to provide adequate development of evidence.

The Board has remanded this case for further development due to missing service medical records and incomplete VCAA notice. The veteran's bilateral pes planus and low back disability claims will be reviewed based on the new evidence.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for service-connected fractures of the right and left tibia and fibula, as well as denied entitlement to an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for anxiety neurosis.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is incurred in service and not due to pre-existing conditions. The presumption of soundness applies, and the veteran is entitled to service connection for his bilateral flat feet.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that schizophrenia was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service, skin disorder is not currently diagnosed, and foot disorder was not manifest in service.

The veteran's cervical spine injury may be related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The left foot and genitourinary disabilities are being reviewed for potential compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to alleged VA treatment errors.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected bilateral pes planus. The veteran should also be provided with proper VCAA notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability associated with shin splints, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for flat feet and fallen arches is remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a left foot disability are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board granted service connection for a back disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected foot disorders, effective from the date of receipt of his claim in July 1970.