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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic left shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and bilateral foot disorders were denied as there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but his plantar fasciitis is denied. The issue of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, a bilateral knee disorder, and a back disorder as secondary to pes planus due to lack of evidence showing aggravation in-service or current disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability and is now proceeding to evaluate the merits of his claims. The veteran also seeks service connection for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease, but additional evidence related to these conditions needs to be obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her bilateral lower extremity disability, limitation of motion of the right and left ankles, bilateral pes planus, gastrocnemius equinus (tight heel cord) of the left leg, and gastrocnemius equinus (tight heel cord) of the right leg. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these areas prior to March 9, 2007.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various knee and foot conditions, as well as bilateral flat feet. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that additional examination and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, heart disability, and flat feet.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a more severe disability level.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD as secondary to sexual assault and for an initial increased (compensable) evaluation for bilateral pes planus due to insufficient VCAA notice, lack of adequate evidence regarding the stressor incident, and need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and additional development of the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus and special monthly compensation for loss of use of the feet.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis have been granted initial ratings. The right foot Achilles tendonitis is rated at 10 percent effective March 27, 2007. The left foot Achilles tendonitis also receives a separate rating of 10 percent from that date.

The veteran's service-connected pes planus is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus existed prior to service and did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during military service. The veteran does not have any of the other claimed conditions due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, right ankle disability, shingles, right foot disability, and right wrist disability due to lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and flat feet, as well as his claim for TDIU, were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral ankle disability, left fifth finger disability, and pes planus. The decision also addressed a claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus but found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain was granted. However, her claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was also granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus and secondary service connection for back pain. He also seeks an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for his bilateral pes planus.,VA has not obtained all relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and VA medical records from October 2005 to the present have not been obtained.