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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case will be readjudicated following this development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral pes planus is denied as there was no prior claim filed before August 15, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his residual scar from plantar wart removal from the left foot prior to November 16, 2007 was denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating effective November 16, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for pes planus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a right knee condition. The claim for left foot bunionectomy, claimed as secondary to service-connected postoperative scar of the left foot, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right foot disability or left foot and ankle disability, nor did it meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's pes planus, back disorder, major depression, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's right elbow disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic acquired right elbow disability during service and his symptoms were acute and transitory. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an ankle condition (swelling), hammer toes, and a bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus has been rated at 10 percent prior to September 18, 2006 and at 30 percent from that date. The Board finds the evidence supports a 30 percent rating based on severe bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, bilateral leg disability (peripheral neuropathy), bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a right foot disability, finding that new and material evidence was not presented. The Veteran's testimony and lay statements were deemed insufficient to establish in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of arthroplasty, right fifth toe (right foot disability) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination during an active stage of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and a rating for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, finding that no claims were received prior to January 4, 1995.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral foot disability is granted, and he remains rated at 20 percent. The claim to reopen a secondary hip disability claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to her claimed conditions, and therefore service connection is denied for neck pain, left ankle sprain, right ankle twist/sprain, right knee pain, left plantar callus (claimed as left foot pain), and bilateral hand pain.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is shown to have resulted in complaints of pain and stiffness, but not severe enough to warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral pes planus, and right knee disorder were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.