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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and dismissed due to the request for a hearing being canceled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for pes planus with tarsal arthritis, finding that no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety is being remanded as there may be an underlying service-connected condition that could affect his mental health. The right foot disability claim is also being remanded, with a request for in-patient clinical records from Fort Carson.,The Veteran's left foot disability claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development including in-patient clinical records and psychiatric examination.,The Veteran's right foot disability claim is being remanded as it may be related to his pre-existing left foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot bunion deformity and plantar fasciitis, sebaceous cysts, right knee chondromalacia patella, and low back strain/sprain as secondary to his service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis of both feet and ankles is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disability was aggravated by active service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were generally denied. Specific issues include the denial of higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, left testicle removal, cervical fusion with degenerative joint disease and a surgical scar, residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet, right leg disorder, left upper extremity disorder, PTSD, low back disorder, dizziness, and erectile dysfunction. Service connection was granted for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's calluses of the left and right feet were not found to be moderate or severe enough to warrant a compensable rating prior to October 25, 2007. However, starting from that date, his bilateral foot condition was rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the reopening of a claim for low back disability and granting secondary service connection for right arm disability. Other claims were not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's hyperkeratotic callous, residuals of nose fracture, and residuals of laceration of the nose are all rated as compensable under their respective diagnostic codes. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more detailed examination of his bilateral plantar fasciitis, as the current medical evidence does not fully address the criteria for evaluating this condition under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disabilities, as well as COPD. The Veteran's claims were based on asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for mixed personality disorder, bilateral pes planus, and depression. The claim of service connection for a low back disorder is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for PTSD and sleep disorder, and the Board dismissed these issues due to lack of evidence supporting service connection. The claim for pes planus was also dismissed as there is no evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and flat feet, claimed as foot pain, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken collar bone, acid reflux, bilateral ankle disability, cellulitis, bowel disorder, migraines, kidney failure, hiatal hernia, and bilateral pes planus. The issues have been remanded to issue an SOC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis were denied by the RO in April 2007. The Veteran has expressed disagreement with these decisions.