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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus disability is manifested by complaints of occasionally swelling, weakness and objective evidence of bilateral planovalgus flat foot deformity, valgus heels, degenerative changes in the anterior portion of the ankle joint with some spurring, unstable gait and additional functional loss due to pain and instability affecting primarily the left foot. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 30 percent, but no more, for bilateral pes planus is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals of bilateral ankle sprains are not shown, and his bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis) is considered to have originated in service. The decision on these two issues is mixed - one issue was granted while another was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The November 1997 rating decision was not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting further examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Meniere's disease and thus, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral heel, ankle, and hip conditions are not related to her service-connected low back disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and assigned a 10 percent rating effective July 1, 2002. However, the Veteran's attorney submitted a private physician's report in February 2009 indicating that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a 50 percent evaluation. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA examination and obtain all pertinent records before readjudicating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VCAA notice regarding the need to show a link between current disability and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The primary residual of his right navicular fracture with tenosynovitis and bone spurs is subjective pain, while pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, sinus tarsi syndrome, and tibial tendonitis are unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to pes planus, neck injury, and low back injury. The appellant's claims for service connection are being reviewed, as is his attempt to reopen a previous claim of service connection for residuals of low back pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The rating for bilateral pes planus is increased to 10 percent effective from August 2001. Ratings of 10 percent have been continued for right and left ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice provided to the appellant regarding National Guard service with periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The appellant should be provided with an adequate duty-to-assist letter that includes the necessary criteria for substantiating a claim based on such service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a change in the hearing officer. The Veteran is scheduled for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, status post cholecystectomy and reflux esophagitis, and pes planus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic headaches or plantar fasciitis, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and a dental disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions on the relationship between his current conditions and his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.