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

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's pes planus was permanently worsened during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of hepatitis B and VA treatment records have not been obtained.,Service connection for hepatitis B remains unresolved as the veteran's claim is pending due to lack of recent medical records and further examination may be required.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for service-connected plantar fasciitis of the right foot, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The other issues regarding a bilateral foot disability and an ulcer disorder are pending.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine at L5-S1 and granted a compensable evaluation (10%) for status post right heel fracture.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only under VA regulations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pes planus, finding that her disability was mild and relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee, hip, foot, back, and respiratory disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were determined to have existed prior to service and no aggravation was shown during service.

For the period prior to August 15, 2003, the veteran's GERD was asymptomatic and well-controlled. After this date, symptoms of regurgitation and pyrosis were noted but did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's diabetes mellitus required insulin and a restricted diet but did not restrict his activities. The disability due to status postoperative bilateral bunionectomies with flat feet was rated at 30 percent, as there was no evidence of marked pronation or inward displacement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in February 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a lumbosacral spine disability, an ankle or foot disability (other than right foot fracture residuals), or a knee disability that is attributable to his active military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during her active duty service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and a left wrist disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The veteran's right toe disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 1, 2003. The veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and medullary sponge kidney are both rated as noncompensable.

The veteran meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes due to his service-connected PTSD, chloracne due to herbicide exposure, and bilateral pes planus. The Social Security Administration has also found him permanently disabled.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus and Morton's neuroma of the right foot, finding that these conditions meet the criteria for such ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5276 (pes planus) and 5279 (Morton's disease).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development at the RO level. His claims for higher ratings for duodenal ulcer disease and bilateral plantar fasciitis are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for her left and right foot conditions, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disability of the right hand and for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, major depression, and knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his bilateral flat feet with metatarsalgia and for TDIU, finding that the current rating adequately reflects his disability and there is insufficient evidence to show he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.