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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by no more than mild to moderate flatfoot deformity, and the criteria for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent are not met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bruxism and anisometropia (claimed as vision problem). The issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for bilateral pes planus remains before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his ability to engage in sedentary work.

The Veteran's right and left foot plantar spurs are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than moderate disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between her current disabilities and active military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral tinnitus are granted as service-connected, while his bowel disorder, plantar warts, moles, and right foot disability claims are denied.

The Board is reopening the claim for service connection for PTSD on the basis of new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and a foot disability are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral pes planus and left foot disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims, and that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, right ankle, left ankle, and bunions disabilities are not service-connected. The flat feet disability is currently rated as second degree pes planus (flat feet).

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was first manifested during service and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board finds that the Veteran has established service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and right eye disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with bunions and calluses were initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2008, and increased to 30 percent beginning that date. The low back strain was initially rated at 20 percent and remained at that level. The chronic cystitis required a separate 10 percent rating. Uterine fibroids were rated as 10 percent effective from February 25, 2008.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied this claim. The claims for bilateral pes planus and hemorrhoids are pending as additional medical evidence is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by pronounced flatfeet, with marked pronation, tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, and marked inward displacement. The Board has awarded a maximum schedular rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his bilateral knee and right foot disabilities, as well as depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability and numbness of face, residuals of wisdom teeth extraction are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for pes planus. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service and a left ankle disability was incurred in service. The other conditions were not established as being related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted, with a current rating of 20 percent effective January 19, 2006. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.