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

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, right leg disability (knee, thigh and hamstring), low back disability, right thumb disability, and right elbow disability as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and denied initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of L5, S1 with mild retrolisthesis, as well as noncompensable ratings for shin splints of the right and left legs, residuals of a left ankle fracture, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted an increased rating of 20 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis effective November 4, 2008, and a further increase to 30 percent was also granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher initial ratings, earlier effective dates and service connection for a heart condition.

The appeal is remanded to provide the Veteran with adequate notice regarding what specific evidence would be required to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis of both feet to the RO/AMC for further development and adjudication.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no evidence of marked deformity or other symptoms warranting a higher rating prior to May 18, 2005.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral pes planus to the RO/AMC for further development and adjudication.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding that the disability was aggravated by active duty military service.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with plantar heel spur for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury, left foot injury, acute gastritis, and a positive TB skin test. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was not aggravated during active military service. An initial (compensable) evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected scar of the left knee was also denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's sudden cardiac death was not due to any disability incurred in service, manifested during the first post-service year, or related to service.

The Veteran's substantive appeal to the January 2001 rating decision was not timely filed, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider these issues. The criteria for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2007, for the assignment of a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected jaw disorder have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and related conditions due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The appeal is remanded for further development to ensure the Veteran's due process rights are met, including an adequate VA examination and review of recent medical records.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected bilateral foot deformity, flat feet, for the period since July 29, 2005.

The Board remands the case to obtain a medical opinion addressing the relationship between the Veteran's right foot disability and active service, including the period from January 1991 to March 1991.

The appeal was remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current knee disorder and plantar fasciitis.