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

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted it. The decision on the bilateral ankle disability issue is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected shin splints of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing left elbow fracture did not increase in pathology during service, and there was no superimposed chronic disability. The acquired chondromalacia of the knees and calluses/corns on the feet were also determined to be unrelated to service origin.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee suprapatellar spur, and bilateral pes planus have been denied. The VA has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on current functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and re-adjudication due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and lack of review of service records.

The Board found no evidence of a low back injury during active military service and denied the claim for service connection. For the bilateral foot disabilities, the VA examiner noted that the corn on the left fourth/fifth interdigital space was related to his active military service, but did not find any relationship between the other diagnoses (pes planus deformity, hallux valgus deformity, and metatarsalgia) and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus warrants a 20 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available under the applicable rating criteria. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for asthma, bilateral flat feet, and left knee disability has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal for asthma.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical examinations and verifying military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and a right foot disability, as well as the claim for PTSD. The RO is instructed to obtain medical records, arrange for VA examinations, and complete further development before readjudicating these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, to include as secondary to a service-connected disorder, is denied. The issue of ankylosis of the bilateral ankles was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's left foot disability causes noncompensable limitation of motion, and x-ray evidence shows osteoarthritis secondary to the service-connected heel fracture. The Board finds that a 10 percent rating for the left foot disability is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a schedular award of a TDIU, and his disabilities are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims. The appeals were not successful in any of the issues raised.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected bilateral pes planus, but denied the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee disability and service connection for right knee condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issue on appeal is whether he should receive an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral foot disability was not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 29, 2003 for his service connection granted in October 2003. The decision stated that there was no legal basis to establish an earlier effective date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar strain, and flat feet are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of all available evidence.