Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot and ankle disorders are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service or any presumptive conditions.

The veteran's right foot disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus did not increase in severity during service, and thus, they were not aggravated by military service. The current bilateral foot condition was also not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for various knee, femur, ankle and foot disabilities were granted. The RO assigned the appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of his symptoms as determined by VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 19, 1998 for total disability based on individual unemployability was denied as the service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and thus is not considered aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability during service and denied the claim for service connection. The issue of bilateral foot disability is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a current disability or service connection for bilateral hip, ankle, lumbar spine, or leg disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling due to in-service aggravation, and the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral pes planus and a back condition, which he claims is secondary to his feet problems. The RO has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions in service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left foot pes planus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected foot strain with plantar fasciitis, finding that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the initial compensable evaluation of the right ankle fracture and all other issues on appeal.

The veteran's initial claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with callous formation is being remanded due to scheduling issues. The case will be handled by the RO and rescheduled for a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of right foot, right knee, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and for VA examinations to determine if the veteran's hypertension and foot disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.