Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left distal radius fracture and fixation are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran's residual left thigh neuropathy with status-post bone graft is not manifested by severe to complete paralysis, warranting a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current right foot disability had its onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for a right foot disability is denied.

The Veteran's skin condition, including pitted keratolysis and plantar warts of the heels, has not met the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in most cases, except for left lower extremity paresthesia which met the criteria for a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining her service treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected plantar keratomas on both feet, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left ankle has been granted a 10 percent rating. Service connection was established for right foot disability, left foot disability, and residuals of stroke.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability, bilateral elbow disability, and back injury with scoliosis and spondylolisthesis L5-S1 are all related to service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating for severe pes planus. The disability causes significant functional impairment in his ability to walk and perform his job as a postal carrier.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right foot disability, and psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Decision Review Officer at the Detroit VA Regional Office.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right foot disability allegedly caused by VA surgery on his right hip in July 1994. The case has been remanded to obtain the operative notes from that surgery and to determine if any nerve damage did occur as a result, whether it was due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is manifested by marked pronation, painful motion, swelling and tenderness. The Board finds that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral pain in the hands.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. For his low back disorder, there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service, and the current disability is not shown to be related to service.