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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hind foot valgus warrants a 30 percent evaluation from February 14, 2004 to August 12, 2004 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent since then. The compensable evaluations for right and left feet bunion formation are granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, as the Veteran's pre-existing condition was not shown to be aggravated during his period of service.

The Board denied service connection for back and left knee disabilities, but granted service connection for a mild hallux valgus deformity of the left foot with hypertrophic osteophyte formation and calcified density in the first metatarsal phalanx joint. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's skin disorder of the face, scalp, and head area is attributable to service. The Board finds that pes planus, bronchitis, and arthritis of both knees are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent from December 1, 2005 to February 21, 2006. Effective April 1, 2006, the disability remained at 30 percent for his right foot condition and 10 percent for his left foot condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right heel, right ankle, and back disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate reasoning in previous decisions and an incomplete VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left arm/shoulder disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be more severe than reflected by the current 10 percent rating, and a higher initial rating is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability, claimed as residuals of trench foot. However, the evidence does not establish a current disability related to trench foot in service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, lumbar strain, left knee chondromalacia, right knee status post operative arthroscopy, chondromalacia patella, and anxiety disorder are currently evaluated at the 10 percent level. The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's metastatic carcinoma of the lung was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. A service-connected disability did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between his current disability and active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee, low back, and bilateral foot disabilities are related to her service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of her bilateral foot conditions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Hillcrest Medical Center on March 12, 2006 is denied because the evidence does not show that he was in an emergency situation, received prior authorization from VA, or sought post-treatment authorization within 72 hours. The care provided did not meet one of the regulatory conditions for payment under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 and 38 C.F.R. § 17.120.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs syndrome, and hammertoe deformities.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with a right heel spur is not characterized by pronounced, marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, or marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo Achilles on manipulation. Therefore, his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher 50 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his preexisting pes planus did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for entitlement to service connection for pes planus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.