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

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, lung disorder, hand or wrist disorder (to include bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), and foot disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining etiological opinions on service connection claims and a new VA examination for pes planus. The veteran's increased evaluation claim involving pes planus is also being remanded.

The veteran's service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot is granted. The claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right distal clavicle resection are still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a left ankle disability with arthritis (claimed as secondary to his back disorder), and a left elbow disability. The RO found no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for left foot disability, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for heart, left foot, and stomach disabilities. It also denied increased evaluations for right hip and palmaris longus tendonitis.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and plantar retrocalcaneal spur, left foot, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee remains at 0 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial ratings assigned for a skin condition and PTSD were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his bilateral flat feet disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from January 31, 2002, to June 23, 2005, or for a rating in excess of 30 percent effective June 23, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral flat feet did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome of the right shoulder warrants a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and excision of the superficial peroneal nerve neuroma of the left ankle do not warrant compensable ratings. The veteran's post operative plantar fasciotomy of the left foot, carpal tunnel syndromes (right and left), and lumbar spine disorder are all rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied all the claims except for the low back claim. The veteran's left varicocele was granted a 0 percent evaluation, but no other conditions were found to be service-connected.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied a claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus with plantar tylomas, status post left foot surgery, finding that the disability did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an increased rating under the current criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred in service and is therefore denied. The right shoulder disorder remains on appeal as it does not meet the maximum available rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left foot disability is related to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a left foot injury.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless and in danger in his daily environment, requiring the regular assistance of another individual on a daily basis to accomplish personal self-care. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is not warranted.