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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining clarification and potentially new medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, hallux rigidus (bilateral), right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right inguinal hernia and right hand osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional limitations or pain. The Veteran's right foot disability was not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet disability based on aggravation during active duty. The Veteran's sinusitis, respiratory infection (claimed as viral flu, Kuwait crud, and chronic cough), fatigue, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Veteran did not perfect an earlier effective date claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus, and the August 2001 rating decision is final.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's Army period of service (April 1962 to April 1965).

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 29, 2003, for the grant of service connection for metatarsalgia with plantar fasciitis was granted. The earliest effective date that can be assigned is June 26, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any right foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected left foot disability and his current right foot, back, and knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess his diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection or a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with calcaneal valgus deformity is productive of severe impairment, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for right foot disability and left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee disabilities are at least in part due to and/or have been significantly contributed to by his service-connected disabilities, including traumatic lumbar degenerative disc disease with diminished rectal tone, stress incontinence and erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and residuals of fracture, bone of the left 5th metatarsal with traumatic degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, bilateral heel spurs, and a bilateral ankle disability, are not related to his military service. The Veteran did not exhibit these conditions in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Board found no competent medical evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder was incurred in or aggravated by her military service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral weak foot with plantar callosities was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent evaluation adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of the disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide her with a VA examination for her service-connected scars and plantar fasciitis, as well as to obtain additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability did not have onset in service or within one year of service and was not caused or aggravated by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is denied.