Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2007

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left foot disability that he claims is secondary to his service-connected mechanical low back pain. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the service-connected back disorder aggravates the non-service-connected left foot disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including sleep apnea, hearing loss, tinnitus, flat feet, and cardiomyopathy, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of aggravation of any pre-existing condition during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed conditions and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees and lumbar disc disease, finding that these conditions are not proximately due to or a result of the veteran's service-connected pes planus or right ankle sprain.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not show a nexus to his service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral Achilles tendonitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal stress reaction, and right knee condition have been denied. The RO has assigned noncompensable ratings to these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a right foot disability have been reopened. The claim of service connection for Meniere's syndrome is not addressed in the decision. The case is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records, further evaluate the right foot disability, and schedule a VA audiological evaluation.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for plantar warts, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot problems and glaucoma/cataracts (claimed as eye problems) were denied. The Board found that the pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury.,Service connection was also denied for dermatophytosis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for a left foot and ankle disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability from an ulcer incurred during active service and denied his claim for service connection. The initial evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral flat feet with bilateral plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and bilateral calcaneal spurring is also denied.

The veteran's left leg disability, currently rated at 30%, has been increased to 40%. His right foot disability, currently rated at 20%, remains at that rating. The skin disorder claim is granted as new evidence supports reopening the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a navicular fracture of the right foot warrant a 10 percent rating, and his left ankle disability is service-connected as secondary to his right foot disability.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's initial noncompensable ratings for mitral valve prolapse, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lumbar spine strain were granted effective October 1, 2003.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not worsen during his period of service, and thus, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. However, the BVA granted him a 10 percent disability evaluation for degenerative lumbar spondylosis effective from September 30, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, flat feet with associated ankle pain, headaches and cholecystectomy residuals were granted effective March 17, 1997.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's bilateral pes planus, which was previously rated at 10 percent. The disability is currently manifested by decreased medial arch bilaterally and prominent navicular and valgus rear foot in relaxed stance.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for a clothing allowance was also denied.