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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg condition involving cellulitis and a left foot disability. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities in either leg or left foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his service-connected right foot and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted service connection effective May 31, 2005. The Board found that the disability picture from October 11, 2005, approximated the criteria for a 30 percent rating. The claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. Recoupment of special separation benefits in the amount of $18,171.31 was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent before October 20, 2008 and 50 percent from that date. His left ankle valgus deformity is currently rated at 10 percent.,Both conditions are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a travel board hearing. The RO must schedule the appellant for an in-person hearing at the RO.

The Board found that the appellant's currently assigned 10 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus does not adequately reflect his current level of disability, as there was no objective evidence of marked deformity or swelling on use. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, bilateral leg, hip, and bilateral foot disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis and pes planus is being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on the etiology of the claimed condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for plantar fasciitis, which he claims was incurred during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, a left knee disability, and a bilateral leg disability. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted as it is etiologically related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is related to his active service and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, inguinal hernias, Achilles tendonitis of the right foot, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, thoracic spine condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee condition, and skin condition (psoriasis, warts, abscesses, cysts) have been reopened. Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spur is not currently manifested by X-ray evidence of degenerative arthritis or moderate foot impairment, thus he is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle, knee, low back strain and left sacroiliac joint strain disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings.

The Veteran does not have a bilateral foot disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for each condition.

The Veteran's seasonal allergic rhinitis was not shown to be more than 50% obstructive, thus a compensable rating is denied.,There is no evidence of chronic increase in bilateral pes planus due to service. The pre-existing condition was not aggravated by active service.,No current disability manifested by bilateral tibial pain (shin splints) has been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records from the Social Security Administration and the Detroit VA Medical Center.