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

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as his condition more nearly approximates moderately severe impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was not granted any of these benefits.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue was denied service connection as it is not related to any aspect of service, including exposure to herbicide. Service connection for degenerative disease of the neck and arthritis of the hips and wrists were also denied on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for her service-connected left foot disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his claim for a compensable rating for the residuals of the amputation of the tip of the left fifth finger was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for either condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability and has determined that new evidence supports a finding of in-service aggravation of pre-existing pes planus, leading to current hallux valgus. The Veteran is therefore entitled to service connection for bilateral hallux valgus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including headaches and injuries to his right hand and feet. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and declined to reopen the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for pes planus, as well as service connection for low back and right hip disorders secondary to pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported history of flat feet during service resulting in discharge is inconsistent with available records, and there is no competent evidence linking current disability to active military service. As such, the claim for service connection for flat feet was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left leg and foot disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied all claims for service connection. The claim for special monthly compensation was also denied as there is no service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's appeal was to request an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and assigned a noncompensable evaluation, which was later increased to 10 percent effective November 6, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish service connection for each condition.,The Veteran has been granted a higher initial evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence from surgery on left foot plantar fasciitis was denied as he is not service-connected for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, tendonitis and synovitis of the first metacarpal joint (right hand), tendonitis and synovitis of the first metacarpal joint (left hand), bilateral pes planus, and low back disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence that these conditions meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and did not address service connection issues, as those were remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for flat feet and granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD prior to April 17, 2004. The Veteran's pre-existing flat feet was aggravated by his Army service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for pes planus. The VA examiner could not resolve whether the Veteran's pes planus was aggravated during military duty without resorting to speculation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 10% ratings.