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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar disorders, retained metal in the left knee, right ankle injury residuals, and unspecified right foot disorder (history of plantar warts). The appeals were all denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a separate adjudication of service connection for below the knee amputation as secondary to bilateral pes planus and readjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Board denied increased ratings for postoperative degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, did not reopen the claims of service connection for major depression on a direct basis and hematuria, but reopened the claim for service connection for uterus fibroid disorder. The veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding it to be a severe disability with objective evidence of marked pronation and pain on manipulation.

The veteran is granted an effective date of April 22, 1987 for a 50 percent rating for service-connected pes planus.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral pes planus, which he claims was aggravated during his military service. The claim will be remanded to allow for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature, onset, and etiology of the veteran's pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral foot condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a plantar wart of the right foot with renal failure, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between the condition in service and the current disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and calluses, bilateral feet are still under review.

The veteran's claims for effective dates and ratings related to his bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus are being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as chronic recurring dyshidrosis of the feet, was incurred in service. The pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service and is considered a direct result of service.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under section 1318 due to his total disability rating being less than 10 years prior to his death.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar keratosis and corns, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability, which was previously denied in May 1977.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral plantar callosities disability does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for more severe conditions such as pronounced pes planus or claw foot.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, and denied reopening of his claim for asbestosis. The veteran's acne vulgaris is currently rated at 30 percent.