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

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent prior to August 17, 2006. Since then, the disability has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 1999 for the establishment of basic eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance under Title 38, United States Code, Chapter 35. The TDIU claim is denied as there was no increase in disability but rather a new service-connected condition.

The Board denied reopening the claim for pes planus and service connection for dental condition. The evidence did not meet the criteria for new and material evidence, and there was no support for a secondary service connection for dental issues.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities affecting both knees and left foot, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disabilities warrant a 20 percent disability rating as of May 7, 2007 due to marked limitation of motion of the ankles. The initial ratings prior to this date remain unchanged at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including spinal injury with cervical spur and lumbar arthritis, cervical spine radiculopathy, viral syndrome, hyperlipidemia, bilateral leg cramps, weight gain from reduced physical mobility, concussion, dizziness, seizures and cerebral vascular accident, throat disability (trouble swallowing), disability of the abdomen and viscera, and bilateral foot disability were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the rating for keratoconus due to the veteran's withdrawal of his claim. The low back disability is rated at 10 percent, and bilateral plantar fasciitis is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, a bilateral foot disorder (claimed as plantar fasciitis), and an initial compensable rating for status post bilateral osteotomies for bunions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining SSA records and medical records. The outcome of the increased rating claim may affect his TDIU claim.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by his military service, but his rheumatoid arthritis is not attributable to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, talonavicular osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The examiner opined that these conditions are more likely related to his obesity rather than his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial, compensable rating for sleep apnea prior to December 13, 2005 and service connection for hemorrhoids and a bilateral foot disability. The RO continues to deny these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disorder and denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The effective date for the 30% evaluation of pes planus was set at September 8, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any relevant Social Security disability application history. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of pes planus remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The Board found that pre-existing flat feet did not aggravate during service, and there was no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's left shoulder disability, as well as whether his flat feet, right knee disabilities, and left knee disabilities are related to service. The claims for increased ratings will be adjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and secondary service connection for GERD due to service-connected hemorrhoids. The skin disease claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The veteran's appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability as secondary to her service-connected back disability is dismissed because she withdrew her substantive appeal.