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

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA orthopedic examination and additional VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for either the right hand or left foot, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus with hind foot valgus, plantar fasciitis, and right heel spur warrants a 10 percent disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and degenerative joint disease of the right great toe are currently rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for examinations and further review of the evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral pes planus, and a psychiatric illness. The decision found that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not warranted due to lack of evidence linking his fatal conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's bilateral pes planus and a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, vertigo with dizziness and nausea, an increased rating for eczematous dermatitis of both hands, and reopening a claim for prostatitis were denied. The Board found that the veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot disability, impotence, chronic liver disease and hepatitis B/C, venous insufficiency with deterioration of arteries, and non-specific urethritis and enlarged prostate. The evidence did not support these claims.,There was no direct or presumptive service connection found for any of the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's service connection claims for irritable bowel syndrome, anemia, and a great toe disorder (exostosis) have been granted. The veteran also has service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left heel spur with plantar fasciitis, gastrointestinal reflux disease, and hemorrhoids. His right ear hearing loss is rated as compensable.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus was present at his service entrance examination and did not show any aggravation during his first period of active duty. Therefore, it determined that service connection for pes planus is warranted.

The Board granted higher initial ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied his claim for increased rating of bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral plantar calluses did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, as they were not shown to have pronounced pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement, or severe spasm of the tendon achilles on manipulation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and right plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression and skin disabilities, were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or for many years after service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot condition and an increased rating for his right foot condition, finding no evidence of a chronic in-service condition or new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has established service connection for bilateral pes planus, tinea pedis, and eczematous dermatitis. Service connection was not granted for a gastrointestinal disability or sinusitis.