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

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current medical evidence of a chronic disability due to an event or incident of military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depressive disorder, PTSD, or any other service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mild spinal stenosis and bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to background noise during the hearing, and a Travel Board Hearing will be scheduled.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, lumbar spine (orthopedic manifestations) has been rated at 40 percent since July 2003. The rating remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot and ankle disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service. The right knee disability is also denied secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right foot, and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have a current left foot disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and bilateral flat feet have been denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left foot disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records from various doctors.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence, and the low back disability claim has also been denied as there is no evidence that it was caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and a need for VA examination. The veteran's claim is on whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for service-connected plantar warts and increased disability ratings. He also seeks service connection for bilateral ankle condition and arthritis of the feet. The Board has determined that additional VCAA notice is required, as well as readjudication with consideration of both former and current criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting flat feet with hallux valgus did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with bilateral heel spurs was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran withdrew his claim for an increased rating for service-connected plantar callosities of the left foot, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 30% rating for her left knee disability effective June 28, 2002. The decision also addressed other issues such as new evidence to reopen right knee disability claim, low back disability, left foot disability, gastritis, dysthymic disorder, and TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine condition was rated at 10 percent, left foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis at 10 percent, right foot disability (pes planus with plantar fasciitis) was not found to be related to service, and depression was not shown to have been incurred during service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his reported combat experiences during service are sufficient to establish this. The left foot disability claim is reopened and service connection is also granted.