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

The Board has remanded the case for an examination to determine if any diagnosed foot disorders existed prior to service and whether they are related to active military duty.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, status post bunionectomy and arthroplasty of the left foot and severe hammertoes of the right foot was denied. The Board found that at no point in the record did his bilateral pes planus disability approximate pronounced flatfoot with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement, and severe spasm of the tendo Achilles on manipulation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing to present her claims.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the feet were denied. The claims for hypertension and pes planus are pending as they have been reopened.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to a failure to report for a VA examination and because of missing records from the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus/plantar fasciitis of the feet and ratings in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, for residuals of cold injury to both feet. The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pes planus or plantar fasciitis, nor is there any evidence that these conditions are related to service-connected frostbite.

The Board found that the veteran's left and right ankle disorders, as well as his bilateral pes planus (flat feet), were not incurred or aggravated in service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, as no evidence was provided showing an increase in severity of the pre-existing condition during active service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for bilateral pes planus was reopened and granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness was denied.,Service connection for a skin disorder of the back, claimed as athletes foot, was denied.,Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied.,Service connection for a low back disorder other than arthritis (claimed as a muscle injury) was denied.,Service connection for a left foot disorder (claimed as numbness and a cold sensation) was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine if he suffers from a 'loss of use' of one or both lower extremities, which could affect his eligibility for specially adapted housing and adaptive equipment benefits. The RO/AMC will then readjudicate the claims based on this new information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and therefore cannot be granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death, DIC under Section 1318, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The heart condition was found unrelated to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any current disabilities are not proximately due to his service-connected chronic low back strain.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a de novo review of the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, including consideration of newly submitted evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral pes planus, service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with callosities, and CUE in the June 1977 rating decision denying service connection for non-psychotic situational depression. The effective date claim was also denied.

The veteran's onychomycosis and bilateral pes planus with history of plantar fasciitis have been granted initial compensable ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral foot and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied all four of his claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective July 6, 2005. The Board has determined that the current rating is appropriate as it reflects the severity of his disability due to aggravation by a non-service connected foot condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her service-connected bilateral plantar hyperhidrosis was denied by the RO, resulting in a noncompensable initial disability rating.