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

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot pes planus is service-connected, with the opinion of a private physician linking it to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left foot disability was granted, and a 10% rating was assigned effective December 23, 2004. The service connection for the low back disability secondary to the left foot disability has been reopened, but no new rating is granted at this time.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left foot disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as they are not productive of actual loss of use of the foot.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot disorder, including plantar fasciitis and degenerative changes, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The low back disorder was also not shown to be related to the veteran's active service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating, warranting only a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for low back strain was granted and a 10 percent rating was assigned effective September 16, 2005.,Claims for service connection for tendonitis in the right wrist, tendonitis in the left wrist, and pes planus were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus is a congenital defect and not incurred or aggravated during service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with arthritis of the feet is denied as there is no evidence that his disability presents marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The veteran seeks compensation benefits for right foot disability resulting from surgery performed at a VA medical facility in June 2001. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, but denied it on the merits. The veteran's low back disability is not shown to have had its onset in or within one year after service and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling.,The RO also denied his petition to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for hearing loss and a back disability, including as secondary to bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and extent of his service-connected pes planus and any additional foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus disability was incurred during active duty service and is not a congenital or developmental defect, thus warranting service connection.

The Board found that the surgeries on the veteran's left foot did not result from treatment for a service-connected disability and there is no other evidence of treatment requiring convalescence for any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and residuals of a right foot injury, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's plantar fasciitis of the left foot is service-connected as it manifested during active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral residuals of frostbite with arthritis and bilateral weak feet, contributed to his development of cardiovascular disease which caused his death. As such, the appeal for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board is considering multiple claims for service connection, including prostate cancer and various other disabilities. The veteran's petition to reopen his claim for left hand/wrist scar has been granted due to the submission of new evidence. However, no new or material evidence was submitted to support reopening the claims for hearing loss, hypertension, eye disability, sexual dysfunction, left foot disability, skin disability, residuals of partial right nephrectomy, and prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current flat feet or a bilateral knee disorder related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.