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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board found that the first documented diagnosis of bilateral pes planus occurred more than 13 years after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus with Achilles tendonitis was denied, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation. His service connection claim for a low back disability was also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board denied all issues related to service connection, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not due to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation or Gulf War. The initial noncompensable ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees and plantar fasciitis with pes planus, heel spur, callous formation, 3rd and 4th metatarsal head with Morton's neuroma of the second intermetatarsal space were also denied.

The case is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The Regional Office must schedule her for such a hearing at their office.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of residuals of left eye arterial thrombosis. Service connection and evaluations were granted for right shoulder and right foot disabilities, but the initial evaluations have been increased.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of bilateral pes planus was partially granted, with a 30% rating effective January 5, 2002. The service connection claim for back disorder is pending and may be reopened based on new evidence; however, the Board denied this claim due to lack of causal relationship between the bilateral pes planus and the claimed back disorder.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he can perform sedentary employment.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine the complete scope and severity of service-connected disability of the right foot, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hallux valgus is being reviewed in light of these findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and initial compensable evaluations for fracture residuals of the right foot, fifth metatarsal, and pes planus were denied. The Board found that there was no current disability for hearing loss and insufficient evidence to support a compensable rating for either the right foot or pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and proper VCAA notification.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total service-connected disability rating, specifically loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus disability was evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board denied his claim for an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence of aggravation during service and concluding that the preexisting condition had improved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a bilateral foot disability, and a bilateral hand disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot disability (pes planus) existed prior to service and was aggravated by service, thus granting her claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The claim for a skin disorder was also denied as it is not related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions did not have a direct link to his military service and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or other presumptive conditions.