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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and myofascial low back pain. The veteran was not granted service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as cysts).

The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of staged ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and a left knee disability due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral plantar keratoses disability warrants a combined evaluation of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claims for separate ratings for tinnitus and increased disability ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of such ratings, given the current schedular evaluations.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew her appeal.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for an extension of temporary total rating due to treatment for service-connected right knee disability and increased ratings for hiatal hernia. The appeals regarding service connection for respiratory, sinus, bilateral foot, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected flat feet, left hallux valgus deformity, and right hallux valgus deformity as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis and whether it is secondary to his service-connected knee and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disorder. The RO should consider whether separate ratings are warranted for each component of the condition.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected hallux valgus deformity with degenerative joint disease of the right great toe and bilateral pes planus were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected bilateral pes planus with residuals of left great toe bunionectomy, right hallux valgus and plantar calluses due to incomplete development. The case must be returned to the Board after additional development.

The veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for bilateral pes planus and service connection for a low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher ratings or establishing service connection.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's bilateral pes planus, finding that a higher rating was not warranted prior to August 6, 2007, and after that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's bilateral pes planus with equinus is related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and assigned a noncompensable rating, which was later changed to a 10 percent rating effective the date of the decision.

The Board finds that the veteran's right elbow tendonitis is due to military service and grants service connection.,There is no current evidence of a left leg disability, and thus the claim for left leg pain is denied. The preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service-connected ankle disorders or heel spurs. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes cavus. The Board has determined that a remand is required to obtain an opinion on the etiology of his current foot disabilities and whether they are related to his active service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for his bilateral plantar warts and calluses. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination, is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.