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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition with radiculopathy, finding that the veteran's service-connected bilateral claw foot contributed to his current disability.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus beginning March 29, 2006. For eczematous dermatitis, the veteran was initially granted a 10 percent rating effective September 20, 2004, and increased to 60 percent effective January 11, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability, due to frostbite sustained during service, is service-connected. The claim for PTSD was denied as there were no verified in-service stressors.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus with bunions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, afibrillation, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, Charcot joint disease, and left foot disability. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus with calluses and degenerative joint disease of all joints, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that he should receive a higher rating based on his current disability level.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and a left foot disorder. The medical records indicate current disabilities involving these conditions as a result of service.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to fully evaluate the appellant's claims, including service medical records and personnel records. The appellant is being asked to provide any relevant documents she may have.

The Board found that the veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred or aggravated by military service. The evidence submitted since the RO's February 1997 decision is new and material, thus reopening his claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for left plantar fasciitis with hammer toe and claw deformities was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and new and material evidence for an eye disability. The decision found that pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Patellofemoral pain syndrome was initially demonstrated years after service and is not related to service. Evidence received since the January 2004 RO decision did relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for a bilateral eye condition, but it does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's service-connected left knee replacement and bilateral pes planus rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the July 1959 rating decision reducing the veteran's bilateral pes planus disability evaluation from 10 percent to noncompensable was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied the request for a higher rating for chondromalacia, right knee.