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

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, as his symptoms are most closely analogous to the criteria for this disability.

The Board determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral ankle condition, characterized by a 'popping' sensation of the tendon on plantar flexion, was not aggravated by service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, muscle spasm of the lumbar spine, iliotibial friction band syndrome of the left knee, and iliotibial friction band syndrome of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral plantar warts is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer disease with gastrojejunostomy and dumping syndrome, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of a VA examination addressing neurological symptomatology associated with the service-connected foot disability.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus warranted a 10 percent disability rating, effective May 28, 2004.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle condition secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus are also pending.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his scar of the left foot, were denied increased ratings. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not granted increased ratings. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's scar of the left foot was not granted a compensable rating. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's headaches were not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's bilateral pes planus was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's sleep disorder was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's multiple joint pain was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's neurological disorder was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's chest pains were not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's memory loss was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's dizziness was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have all been reopened but are still denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities due to service and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The veteran's pes planus is rated at 10 percent effective September 24, 2001. The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disorders as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are proximately due to or the result of her service-connected pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle osteoarthritis, finding that it is proximately due to the veteran's service-connected pes planus.

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 veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code is denied as his existing education and experience are adequate to secure and maintain employment in his chosen field.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have chloracne, bilateral pes planus, seizure disorder, or PTSD that is service-connected. The claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and pes planus. The evidence now shows that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's single service-connected disability (bilateral pes planus with post-operative osteotomies and recurrent plantar callosities) does not preclude substantially gainful employment, as he has the educational background to pursue other forms of employment that do not require him to regularly ambulate, thereby aggravating his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of recent medical records and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.