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

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and increased ratings for bilateral foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, urinary tract infections, and bilateral foot disabilities. The veteran was granted a 10% rating for atopic dermatitis effective October 24, 2005.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's low back strain and degenerative arthritis, effective March 31, 2005. The initial compensable rating for left plantar warts was also granted. However, the claim for service connection for Meniere's syndrome remains pending as it is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for an increased rating of a psychiatric disorder and a total rating based on individual unemployability must be remanded to ensure compliance with applicable law.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing the veteran with proper VCAA notification and scheduling VA medical examinations. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for residuals of plantar warts on the feet and entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities will be reconsidered.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle and foot disability, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for his low back disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and for bilateral arm and hand numbness, finding no current disabilities to account for his subjective complaints.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to a 30 percent rating for bilateral trench feet is July 14, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back injury, and his service-connected plantar fasciitis, left foot, residuals of shell fragment wound, right leg, bicipital tendonitis, left shoulder, and septal deviation, status post septorhinoplasty, do not warrant increased ratings.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus with hallux valgus, hammer toes, and degenerative arthritis of the big toes (claimed as arthritis of the feet) due to new evidence submitted. The Board also found that the pre-existing condition worsened during service and granted service connection based on aggravation.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective February 20, 2003, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bunions, and degenerative joint disease of both feet. The evidence did not show an increase in severity during service or any link to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed conditions to his active duty or inactive duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that hypertension was incurred or aggravated by active service, and there is no indication that it became manifest within one year after separation from service. For bilateral pes planus, the Board found that the veteran's current symptoms were related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of symptoms related to his service-connected conditions. The claim for TDIU is also deferred until after the increased rating issues have been addressed.

The veteran's current foot problems are related to his service-connected bilateral tibial stress reaction. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary and requests additional medical records from the identified providers.