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

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux valgus is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the neck, headaches, foot, or back. Service connection was denied for all four conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral pes planus (flat foot) disability is etiologically related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastrointestinal and left foot disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability, pes planus with plantar fasciitis, upper back disability, eye disability, or rhinitis that is attributable to military service. The veteran's PFB was rated appropriately based on his current condition.

The Board has denied all the veteran's claims for service connection, finding that there is no evidence linking any of his claimed conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar calluses of the balls of the feet are currently rated at 10 percent, and his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent. The claims for increased ratings have been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left leg fracture, residuals of a left foot fracture, and a bilateral foot disability other than residuals of a left foot fracture. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between any of these conditions and the veteran's active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, left forearm scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left shoulder strain are not met. The claim for an increased rating for the left foot disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a separate evaluation of left ankle laxity, which is currently rated as part of bilateral pes planus. The veteran should be notified and given an opportunity to respond.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hepatitis A, B, and C, bilateral pes planus, brain damage, TDIU, and pension benefits due to lack of verifiable in-service stressors and insufficient evidence linking current conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a 30 percent rating, reflecting moderate disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atherosclerosis, coronary artery bypass, left total knee arthroplasty and arthritis, ichthyosis vulgaris, right knee degenerative joint disease with arthritis, hypertension, lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral pes planus, right knee instability, iritis, impotence associated with atherosclerosis, and degenerative joint disease of the left elbow, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and pes planus disabilities are pending.

The Board has granted the veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and right foot disability. The Board found that these disabilities are proximately due to her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot disability, which includes pain, claw deformities, hammer toes, hallux varus, mild osteoarthritis, walking and standing limitations, ankylosis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and spurring, warrants a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The veteran's claims for service connection for impotence, bladder disorder, acquired loss of visual acuity, hearing loss, and right foot disability were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability and found that the veteran's major depressive disorder is fully resolved. The rating assigned remains noncompensable.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for memory loss and fatigue, as well as increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a left wrist disability.,Right ear hearing loss was not shown in the veteran's service records or within one year of discharge. The VA audiologist found normal right ear hearing throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for left axilla scar, left wrist scar, and left foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.