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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including hammertoes, corns, and calluses, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to April 15, 2006, but granted an initial rating of 20 percent as of that date. The effective date for the grant of service connection remains June 15, 1999.

The veteran's service-connected left foot disability is rated at 30 percent from February 14, 2005 and a separate compensable rating for the scar.,Prior to February 14, 2005, the veteran was not granted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with right great toe tendonitis was denied by the RO. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent from June 17, 2009.

The Veteran's recurrent plantar calluses of the left foot were granted a 10% rating prior to April 23, 2008.,Since April 23, 2008, his condition remains at a 10% rating. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and a bilateral knee disability were denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar warts and calluses is being remanded to the RO for initial review of additional evidence submitted after the February 2009 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current plantar fasciitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and eye disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete rationale provided by VA examiners.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not undergo a permanent increase in disability as a result of active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Board also denied his claim for TDIU as his combined rating of 50 percent does not meet the required percentage threshold.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals of both lower extremities, currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral pes planus to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of vision in his left eye was not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The evidence did not show any increase in severity during service, and there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the pre-existing condition existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and no arthritis affecting the cervical spine manifested to a compensable degree within one year following his separation from service. The claim for psychiatric disorder, low back strain, headaches, left knee and left foot disabilities is reopened as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her postoperative bilateral accessory navicular bones with plantar keratosis and flatfeet was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

Throughout the rating period, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was productive of complaints of pain but no additional functional limitation or impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted an initial 10 percent rating effective March 20, 2009.