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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left arm injury, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disability, arthritis, flat feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The claim for residuals of a left arm injury is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The claim for an increased evaluation has been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's claim for pes planus was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for new examinations and consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran does not have a right foot disability that is due to an event or incident of her active service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back disability, left leg disability, bilateral foot disability, asthma, and cardiovascular disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability and acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, were not incurred or aggravated in service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the May 1957 rating decision denying service connection for pes planus is final. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim, and therefore, service connection for pes planus remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a scar above the left eye, chronic headaches, and a right foot disability was denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of severe disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for non-service connected pension, finding that he did not meet the criteria due to lack of evidence demonstrating incapacitation prior to January 26, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence was against the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated based on the criteria provided. The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for increased ratings, and thus the appeals are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected myasthenia gravis and its manifestations.

The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the left talus with pes planus and arthritis is not manifested by ankylosis, which would warrant a higher disability rating. The current 30 percent rating remains appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel file and VA medical records. A psychiatric disorder examination will also be conducted to determine if the condition existed prior to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability.