Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, finding that his pes planus was noted at entrance into service and not found to have been aggravated therein. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation of plantar fasciitis during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, flat feet, and leg cramps are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, right knee disability, deviated septum, and pes planus have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral plantar fasciitis, including left abductor hallucis tendinitis, is not related to service. However, the examiner found a relationship between the diagnosed left foot degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (hallux rigidus) and post traumatic changes at the tip of the first distal phalanx and his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and a right foot disability due to insufficient development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is service-connected and an initial noncompensable rating for his osteoarthritis of the right first metatarsal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability warranted a 10 percent initial rating, but not higher. The evidence did not show any additional functional impairment or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to appear for VA examinations and requests for an examination outside of the U.S. The claims will be adjudicated again after these issues are resolved.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bipolar disorder and a 20 percent rating for bilateral plantar keratomas from July 7, 2009. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his military service, while the current level of disability in his bilateral plantar keratomas warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected bilateral pes planus, and additional notification regarding disability rating and effective date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is granted. The claims for fatigue and lightheadedness, high cholesterol, and acute schizophrenic reaction are remanded due to a lack of timely issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, and he is now granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that his thoracolumbar spine disorder may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate examination. The appellant's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability will be reconsidered after obtaining her complete service medical records and scheduling an adequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The VA examiner was unable to locate any evidence of treatment for foot and knee conditions during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic spine disability, pes planus, intractable plantar keratosis, and bilateral hip disorder are all etiologically linked to his service-connected spinal disabilities. The claims have been reopened due to new evidence provided by a private foot specialist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and low back disability, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess current functional impairment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied. However, he is eligible for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound due to his age over 65 and multiple disabilities.

The Veteran is currently gainfully employed and will likely continue to be so in the foreseeable future, making a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) not warranted.