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

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher evaluation for his cervical spine spondylosis, thoracolumbar spine spondylosis, right (major) shoulder osteoarthritis, right hip and left hip osteoarthritis, right knee and left knee osteoarthritis, right first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritic changes, left first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritic changes, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux valgus, calluses and hammertoes is not more than severe; the overall functional impairment of each foot is not more than moderate.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine effective April 27, 2007. The claims for increase in ratings for degenerative disc disease prior to that date and for service connection for bilateral knee disability were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his chronic lumbar strain, as the evidence did not show that the disability warranted a higher rating.

The Board remands the case for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral bunions, pes planus, and hallux valgus were aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the in-service injury resolved without complication or sequela and was not related to current complaints of pain.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, a low back disability, a bilateral knee disability, a neck disability, and headaches as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for pes planus, and there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, D.C., for scheduling a Travel Board or videoconference hearing as requested by the Veteran.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the claims.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and examinations to determine the etiology of diabetes mellitus and pes planus.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his bilateral pes planus, effective February 18, 2003.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's flat feet with severe pronation and whether it was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The claims for service connection for pes planus of the right foot, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left chronic knee disability, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine were remanded for further development.

The Board remanded the case for further development as the previous medical opinion did not address whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg and foot disability as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis distinct from the Veteran's already service-connected radiculopathy.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for bilateral pes planus but granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left foot hammertoes, as well as for equinus deformity of the ankles.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for plantar warts and calluses of the feet and mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis as there is no evidence of the condition in service, and no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.