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

The Board has determined that the veteran's flat feet and carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred during active service, and thus denied these claims. The claim for malaria was reopened due to new evidence provided by the veteran.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral flat feet and did not address or grant a request for an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not currently have a left foot disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis of the feet are not related to his military service, including any combat injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking any condition to service or presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it is currently rated at 10 percent. The condition does not show marked deformity, swelling on use, or characteristic callosities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus, chronic acquired low back disorder, and hypertension are all service-connected as direct results of his active duty service. The claims for secondary service connection were not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The right knee disability is not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal on the issues of service connection for arthritis in the low back and bilateral hips, as well as the increased rating claim for pes planus. The veteran withdrew his appeals on these matters prior to a decision.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral pes planus, effective from January 12, 2006.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus beyond the currently assigned 10 percent rating.,For the service-connected plantar wart removal residuals, there is no compensable evaluation as the condition does not meet the criteria for a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus condition did not worsen during his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and a gynecological disorder, claiming as cervicitis with dysplasia, due to lack of current medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The veteran's bilateral pes planus increased in severity during active duty, and the Board finds that this increase was not clearly and unmistakably due to natural progress.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and issuance of VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not show a marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to his condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied as there is no evidence of severe lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome having a total duration of at least four weeks during the past year. The veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was rated as moderate.

The Board found no evidence of a current foot disability and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.