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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his right leg/knee disability did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations were denied. The RO provided adequate notice and assistance, and the Board finds no prejudice to the veteran in proceeding with this decision.

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD due to combat stressors and could not verify other claimed stressors. The cervical spine, left knee, left foot, and bilateral shoulder disabilities were not shown to be related to service. Stomach ulcers and a skin rash were also not linked to service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there was no evidence of severe impairment such as marked deformity or swelling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection, including a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring a statement of the case is issued.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, which was previously denied in July 1976. The decision is considered 'mixed' as it involves reopening of a previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder. The veteran's in-service injury resolved, and there is no evidence of any current disability related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and right hallux valgus do not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus and denied the claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees.

The Board found that the veteran's leg length discrepancy is not related to his service-connected left knee disorder or to a past surgical history. The Board also found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current leg length discrepancy to service, and thus denied direct service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran developed a bilateral pes planus while in service and currently has it, establishing service connection for this condition.

The Board determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus did not exist prior to his first period of service and could not be aggravated by his second period of service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's pes planus was present before service and did not worsen during service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that his current pes planus is related to military service.

The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for right and left foot surgical scars, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition and bilateral pes planus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, forehead scar, and flat feet were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a back disability, and concluded that his current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated during active military service and denied the claim.