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

The Board denied service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with spina bifida occulta and determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was evaluated at a 30 percent rating effective March 24, 2006. The condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee, genitourinary, left foot, and right ankle disabilities. The claim of service connection for schizophrenia was also denied. No new evidence to reopen the TB claim was presented.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, the maximum schedular evaluation available. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains at zero percent (noncompensable).

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and an increased evaluation for his bilateral pes planus were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any specific exposure, and concluded that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee arthritis is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue regarding the left foot disorder remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including hallux valgus, pes planus, and plantar fasciitis, is attributable to a period of active service. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety and panic attacks, was not manifest in service and is not attributable to service. Bilateral tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, finding that the current 30 percent rating adequately compensates him for his disability.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for bilateral leg and knee pain, and back pain were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left foot disability in service or within one year post-service, and the only competent medical opinion addressing the etiology of current left foot disability does not support the claim. The veteran's current condition is more likely due to his own actions related to his heel pain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back condition and right foot disability are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his service dates and examinations to determine the onset and causation of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection or increased ratings for his claimed conditions. The evidence is against a finding of a chronic disease process of the lungs, and there is no objective evidence of severe pes planus with marked deformity as required for a higher rating. For residuals of liver injury and ruptured right kidney, the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the veteran's secondary service connection claim for flat feet and remanded the issues of increased disability rating for corns and calluses and TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and osteoporosis, all secondary to her service-connected pes planus. The claims are granted.

The Board found no evidence of a right foot disability during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied service connection for the condition.,No current hearing loss was diagnosed in either ear. The VA examiner did not find any link between the veteran's noise exposure during service and his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that his preexisting condition worsened during service.