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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no competent evidence linking any current symptoms to service or any event therein.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The VA examinations will be scheduled to address his hypertension, right knee disability, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected stress fracture of the left foot and intermittent paresthesia of the mandible, secondary to nerve compression syndrome. The issues regarding bilateral pes planus have been withdrawn.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes her from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and work experience. The Board has determined that the veteran is capable of full-time employment, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's bilateral pes planus, effective from the date of this decision.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected bilateral foot disability and correction of notice regarding effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus, with degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joints warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ankle sprain, and hypertension/heart disease (now claimed as a heart murmur). The claims for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and residuals of in-service left great toe injury have been granted.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of bilateral weak foot disability, service connection for low back disorder and right knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability related to his military service and finds no evidence of a compensable cervical spine disability. The claims for depression, left arm peripheral neuropathy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and COPD/asthma are deferred pending completion of development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot conditions, including pes planus and hallux valgus, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The pre-existing condition was found to have existed prior to his military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected degenerative joint disease of the talonavicular joints, bilateral. The veteran's pes planus is separately rated and does not affect this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot and a left knee disorder, both secondary to her service-connected right knee disability. The claim is granted as the veteran's current conditions are related to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as there is no objective evidence showing severe symptoms or deformity related to the service-connected condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied his claim for an increased initial rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any incident thereof.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis of the midfoot, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for mixed hearing loss of the right ear with sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code due to a lack of an employment handicap.