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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with arthritis of the feet is currently evaluated at 50 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a lacerated chin, bilateral foot disability, edema/itching arms and ankles, hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine the Veteran's in-country service in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine whether the Veteran served in-country in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for edema/itching arms and ankles as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury and back injury. The appeal is remanded to obtain an appropriate VA examination to determine the likely onset and etiology of these disabilities.,The Veteran seeks service connection for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining opinions from VA examiners regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral chronic tibial stress reaction is aggravated by his nonservice-connected chronic flat foot deformity with residual plantar fasciitis. The appeal will be considered once this additional development is completed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The condition did not exist prior to his military service and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of its pre-existing nature.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not caused or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left pes planus does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5276, as there is no evidence of moderate disability relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

For the time period prior to October 14, 2008, the Veteran's hallux valgus of the right and left feet were not shown to warrant a compensable evaluation.,For the time period from October 14, 2008, the Veteran's hallux valgus of the right foot was manifested by moderate to severe deformity that limited function. The left foot remained noncompensably disabled.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not show severe symptoms warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted due to the nature of the service-connected conditions. The current disability ratings reflect the moderate nature of the injuries.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion to consider all lay symptoms and clinical findings pertaining to any bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional service treatment records and to attempt to obtain private medical records. The claim for service connection for flat feet will be reopened, but the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus and an eye condition remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder and pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service and that any current conditions are not related to active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability, including aortic insufficiency, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 23, 1997 for service connection and a higher initial evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The criteria for these claims were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, hypertension secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, right heel hyperkeratosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and posttraumatic headaches have been rated based on their respective service-connected conditions. The Veteran is granted a compensable rating for each condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral flat feet and ankle problems, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service or continuity of symptomatology since service. The new evidence submitted did not relate to these issues.