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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis and did not address his request for a prior effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and dismissed the remaining issues of appeal.

Service connection for migraines and stomach disorder (claimed as gastritis and spastic colon) was denied.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ankle fracture residuals, pes planus, thoracic spine disorder, kidney stones, sinusitis/rhinitis/allergies, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), skin tumors (presumed due to herbicide exposure), arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), and sleep apnea was denied.,Service connection for right ankle fracture residuals was granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for pes planus and a back disability as secondary to pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions and VCAA notice issues.

The Board found that the objective medical evidence did not support the veteran's claim of a connection between his current plantar fasciitis and his military service, including active duty for training. The condition was diagnosed many years after discharge.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, nor does he qualify for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The evidence supports a finding of in-service exposure to acoustic trauma for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The case was also remanded for further development regarding a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there is no evidence of severe deformity or pain on manipulation and use accentuated. The current 10% disability rating adequately reflects the veteran's symptoms.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for each of the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left knee tendonitis, effective from the date of the February 2002 rating decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral heel disorder, including heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective February 5, 2004. The bilateral flatfoot condition received a noncompensable rating prior to February 5, 2004 and a 20 percent rating effective that date.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and a right knee disorder, thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus symptoms more closely resemble pronounced pes planus with findings on most recent examination, including a collapse of the medial arch bilaterally upon weightbearing; limited range of motion bilaterally; and a lack of propulsion, lack of medial arch support with fatigue and weakness of the lower extremities. The veteran is now rated at 50 percent for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected bilateral pes planus and a compensable evaluation (10 percent) for the service-connected residuals of hepatitis B.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms of pain and swelling.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and entitlement to increased ratings for an epigastric hernia and hemorrhoids. The decision found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and there was no evidence of aggravation.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been manifested by complaints of accentuated foot pain on use and manipulation, and slight tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet. The Board finds that the symptoms associated with the veteran's bilateral pes planus are consistent with the 30 percent evaluation assigned for that condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed arthritis of the feet. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and a skin condition (fungal infection) are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current disabilities.