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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His bilateral foot disability was found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his pyelonephritis did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further adjudication due to procedural issues related to the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot/ankle disorder and left foot plantar fasciitis with hammertoes are not service-connected.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her service-connected chronic lumbosacral spine strain is granted, with a final rating of 40 percent effective from the date of this decision. The claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The veteran's initial evaluations for lumbosacral strain, gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, chondromalacia patellae of the right knee, chondromalacia patellae of the left knee, prostatitis, and bilateral flat feet have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current lower back or foot disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for his right and left foot disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral pes planus, right ankle disability, and residuals of a calcaneal stress fracture of the left foot.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and a skin disorder due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The decision is final as it pertains to the November 1990 Board denial.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left foot and ankle disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The initial evaluations assigned by the RO are maintained.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back or right foot disability and therefore service connection is denied for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus pre-existed his entrance into both periods of active duty military service and did not increase in severity during either period. The claims for secondary service connection for back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle conditions were denied as there was no legal basis to establish such connections.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis on a secondary basis to his service connected pes planus with hallux valgus and bunions. The claim for PTSD was not established, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen it. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is denied as there is no new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's left knee disorder and right foot disorder, including medical records from private providers and an orthopedic examination. The veteran will be provided notice of his rights under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA) regarding increased ratings for his conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore service connection is denied. However, the veteran was found to have bilateral plantar fasciitis that is causally related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral flat feet disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of weightbearing line over or medial to great toe or inward bowing of the tendo achillis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and other benefits were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.