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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, finding that his pre-existing condition did not undergo aggravation during active duty. The issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet, but found that his claim for an increased rating for recurrent scoliosis of the thoracic spine is pending and requires further development.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 17, 2000, for the grant of service connection for a left foot disability manifested by degenerative joint disease is granted.,The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left foot disability is denied. The current evaluation of 20% is deemed appropriate based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis warrants a 10 percent disability rating effective from November 29, 2006.

The veteran's appeal on the issue of service connection for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine if his pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to provide appropriate examinations and explanations.

The VA has granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes, which is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were aggravated by active service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected knee and shin splints disabilities have been rated as noncompensable, and the bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been rated at 10% prior to March 13, 2008, and 30% from that date. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for pes planus of the right foot, effective January 22, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, heart disorder, cellulitis of the left foot, and anxiety reaction due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle and left foot disability, granted a 10 percent evaluation for the scar of the right foot, and denied evaluations in excess of 10 percent for peptic ulcer disease with gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (gastrointestinal disability) and residuals of an exostectomy of the right foot.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus of the right foot and pes cavus of the left foot. The Board has decided to remand this case due to the need for an examination to determine if there is any causal relationship between his current foot disorders and his service-connected bilateral hip disorder.

The veteran's service-connected right knee injuries and osteoarthritis have not been shown to warrant a rating higher than the current 20 percent for either condition.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planovalgus deformity and stress injury right foot was initially rated at 10% from February 13, 2005 through October 2, 2008. From October 3, 2008, the disability is rated as 30%. The veteran's service-connected status post bilateral tibia stress fractures are currently rated as noncompensable.,The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planovalgus deformity and stress injury right foot was initially rated at 10% from February 13, 2005 through October 2, 2008. From October 3, 2008, the disability is rated as 30%. The veteran's service-connected status post bilateral tibia stress fractures are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral Morton's neuromas, and hiatal hernia with GERD. The veteran is also seeking service connection for respiratory disability claimed as asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions, but denied earlier effective dates. The veteran's claims are based on direct service connection and not due to a presumption or new evidence.