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

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, sinusitis, and pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran seeks service connection for pes planus, which she contends was aggravated by her active duty military service. The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the pre-existing pes planus disability was aggravated during her active duty.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for mechanical low back pain, left and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, migraine headaches, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and halux valgus with bunions, deformed right talonavicular joint and displaced posterior tibial tendons is being remanded due to the need for a VA podiatry examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, particularly those from April 2008 onward. The claim will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with bilateral plantar calluses is rated at 20 percent, which approximates moderately severe foot injury. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot and forearm disabilities, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish current disability related to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was aggravated by active military service. The right ankle, left ankle, and right foot conditions were not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, residuals of a left ankle fracture, and pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with Taylor's bunion right fifth metatarsal head is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 30 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the right leg, left leg, right ankle, left ankle, right foot or left foot. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left foot fracture and bilateral pes planus are granted. The Veteran sustained a left foot fracture in service, which resulted in residual X-ray changes with associated pain. His pre-existing bilateral pes planus increased in severity during service due to training activities, resulting in plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently shown left foot disability is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except PTSD, which were dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and need further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for fibrositis is denied. The request to reopen the claim for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome has been granted, but the claim for service connection itself remains denied.