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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The evidence received since the January 1946 denial does not address whether the veteran's pes planus increased in severity during service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and clarifying the appellant's desire for a personal hearing.

The veteran's headaches were initially rated noncompensable and increased to a 10 percent rating after February 19, 2001. The right foot disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to May 18, 1998, and then increased to 20 percent effective February 19, 2001. After May 18, 1998, the veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs was rated as one disability under DC 5276, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a direct link between these conditions and his service or any service-connected disability. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a diagnosed bilateral hip disorder.

The veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis of the right foot was found to be productive of no more than moderate impairment prior to February 2, 2005 and moderately severe impairment currently. The claims for increased evaluations were denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for an increased rating for retinal parafocal telangiectasia of the left eye remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain SSA medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased evaluations of plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome and lumbosacral spine disorder with hypertrophic spurring and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and assigned an initial noncompensable rating for the scar of the left arm. The veteran's current symptoms, including pain, were considered in determining the appropriate disability ratings.

The veteran's headaches are found to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. Service connection is granted for the status-post bunionectomy, with surgical scar, hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis of each foot. The initial compensable ratings for these conditions remain unchanged. Higher initial disability ratings for instability of the right knee and limitation of flexion and traumatic arthritis are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the July 1979 rating decision that reduced his right foot disability evaluation from 10% to noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a lumbosacral disability, finding that there was no evidence to support direct service connection or secondary service connection due to his pre-existing foot condition. The Board also found clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran's preexisting plantar fasciitis did not worsen during service.

The Board has found that the veteran's bilateral shin splints were incurred during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and right foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a plantar wart of the right foot, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left foot disorder, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right foot disorder are not warranted. The veteran's bilateral foot disorders have been rated based on their severity since December 3, 1998.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated and are currently assigned the maximum schedular ratings. No further increased ratings are warranted.