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

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and PTSD due to personal assault has been denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to sexual assault, is also denied.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by callosities, pes planus, and hammer toes, is currently rated at 30 percent. The maximum schedular rating for this condition has been assigned. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted, and his claims for service connection are decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs was granted, but the current effective date is not specified. The Veteran now receives a 10 percent rating since January 24, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated therein, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, a right foot disability, and an increased rating for hemorrhoids have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral foot dysethesias, pes planus, chronic sinusitis with headaches, and right knee chondromalacia are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's flat feet and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus of the right foot and pes cavus of the left foot, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left wrist disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome with extensor tendonitis (claimed as right wrist disability), muscle deterioration with pain and aches, bilateral foot disability, tinea pedis, bilateral shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis, sinus problems and sinusitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for residuals of right foot injury and pes planus, finding new and material evidence. The claim for service connection is granted as direct service connection can be established based on the medical records showing a current disability related to the appellant's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected plantar fasciitis. The issue of TDIU is also raised by the record.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed lower back disorder, left foot disability, left bicep scar, and left shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's lupus was rated at 30 percent prior to December 10, 2004 and at 60 percent since then. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood and fatigue warranted a 30 percent rating. The avascular necrosis of the right femoral head with acetabular degenerative joint disease warranted a 30 percent rating. The pes planus with toe numbness warranted a 10 percent rating, and hypertension was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus has been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition being aggravated during service. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not granted due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete information and evidence, including a need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for plantar callosities and corns with hallux valgus, bilateral. The decision on whether left ankle cellulitis without lymphangitis is service connected remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for back and bilateral foot disabilities, finding no evidence of pre-existing conditions that were aggravated by service.