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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, the next higher schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are inextricably intertwined with the issue of hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred during military service or within one year thereafter.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in Portland, Oregon for scheduling a hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran died of sudden cardiac death, and the cause is believed to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease. However, due to a lack of clear and unmistakable error in prior rating decisions, the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of rubella, a bilateral foot disorder manifested by bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus, or a right knee disorder. The anxiety disorder is also denied as there is no link to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that it pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The claims for initial compensable ratings for a bilateral knee disorder are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of the veteran's bilateral pes planus and established in-service occurrence of left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for flat feet due to new and material evidence submitted since the April 1978 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability and left eye disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the former denial. The Board also determined that there was clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions in both cases.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin disability in service or related to service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations. The claims for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for pes planus, and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle instability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus prior to April 30, 2004.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue remains denied.,Service connection is granted for residuals of acute epididymitis and PTSD. The lung disability claim remains denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and right wrist disability are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA medical records and scheduling the veteran for an orthopedic examination to determine if his back disability began during service or is related to it.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral foot disorder, pes planus, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The lumbar spine and bilateral knee disorders were also not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected chronic urticaria.