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

The veteran's left index finger scar is rated as non-compensable due to the absence of objective evidence of limitation of function or pain. The claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in a final decision, but new and material evidence has been submitted raising the possibility that the condition may have been aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that pes planus pre-existed his entry into service and was not aggravated by active duty. The decision also noted that there is no evidence of treatment for the left knee disability during or immediately after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected low back pain with radiculopathy is rated at the highest available rating of 40 percent, while her pes planus and headaches are each rated at their maximum allowable ratings. The total disability rating for TDIU was granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder injury and depression or other mental disorder were not addressed. The appeal was granted for residuals of a coccyx injury, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and separate initial ratings for the left and right feet.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left index finger, left ankle, and right knee disabilities. The RO initially granted service connection but did not assign a compensable rating to any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral ankle disabilities or plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis began during his active service and is related to in-service experiences, thus granting service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease, finding that the preexisting condition existed prior to service and did not worsen during or as a result of military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for varicose vein stripping is granted. The other claims are either denied or pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, a left leg disability, and a left foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been REMANDED due to the need for additional VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for recurrent left shoulder dislocation, pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hiatal hernia remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and readjudication due to a motion asserting that a medical examination and opinion are needed.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple foot and knee disabilities, as well as a headache disorder. The right hip disability is not found to be service-connected or related to other conditions. Ratings of 10% are assigned for the left foot bone spur with plantar fasciitis, right foot heel spur with plantar fasciitis, and residuals of a right knee injury with degenerative changes. A separate rating of 30% is granted for migraine headaches. The umbilical herniorrhaphy residuals receive a 10% rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral foot disability is unrelated to his period of military service and denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was preexisting and not aggravated by service. His osteoarthritis of the hands, shoulders, hips, knees, and lumbar spine is not related to service or his flat feet. Hearing loss and tinnitus were also not found to be related to service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was granted, and the effective date of this grant is set at September 2, 1977.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with left plantar fasciitis are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for foot disorder, including pes planus and an initial rating of 30 percent for sleep apnea prior to June 15, 2003. The claim for a higher rating for sleep apnea beginning on June 15, 2003 was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board is unable to grant the requested increases or establish service connection due to a lack of evidence supporting these claims.