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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition underwent permanent aggravation during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus has been rated at 50 percent since November 13, 2006. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his disability and thus denied a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and hypertension, resulting in a denial of these claims.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA disability compensation was properly created due to concurrent receipt of active duty military pay and VA compensation benefits while on active duty.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for plantar fasciitis and calcaneal heel spur syndrome of the right and left heels are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and arthritis of the right knee are found to be related to his active duty for training with the Army National Guard.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently shown bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for flat feet.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2004. The fibromyalgia rating remains at 40 percent. The left and right foot plantar fasciitis ratings are both 10 percent. The cholecystectomy residuals remain at 0 percent. The IBS is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected plantar callosities of the feet, including rating claims and secondary service connection for knee disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted with an effective date of February 22, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a 10 percent rating for each foot (and a combined 20 percent rating) throughout from September 25, 1998.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and, therefore, service connection is denied for arthritis of multiple joints, hardening of the arteries, right foot disability, bilateral eye disabilities, respiratory disability, and arthritis of hands, elbows, shoulders, and hips.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability is not improved with the use of orthopedic shoes or other appliances, but he does not have marked pronation of the feet, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement or severe spasm of the Achilles tendons. As such, his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is manifested by no more than a severe disability picture with pain and swelling of the feet, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder manifested by pain. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to inadequate medical evidence in the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be rescheduled for the next available hearing date at the same facility.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been raised and is being remanded for further development.