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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and hammertoes, finding that there is no evidence of any increase in disability during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss prior to February 23, 2009, and a rating higher than 50 percent since that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating at any time.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for hearing loss, foot disability, hypothyroidism, skin disability, sleep apnea, lung disability, and gout. The Veteran withdrew his claim for diabetes.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed left foot disability or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied, but the Board remanded them for further development.,Service connection was granted for right ankle traumatic arthritis with an effective date of November 14, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was granted, with a current evaluation of 30 percent effective March 21, 2009. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain secondary to bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was found to have been aggravated by his military service, and he is now granted service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and halux valgus with bunions, deformed right talonavicular joint and displaced posterior tibial tendons was denied by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, finding that it pre-existed his enlistment and was not aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's pes planus is productive of pain, excessive pronation, with an everted heel and mid-tarsal joint collapse, and an abducted forefoot. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 30 percent have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot disability was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran also has other disabilities such as PTSD, cystic lesions of the chest, upper back, and thighs, which are currently in effect.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be adjudicated as part of this process.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for bilateral pes planus and for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied, while his claim for reopening the previously denied left arm and hand disability was not addressed due to lack of appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and readjudication.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and for a lung disability. The case is being remanded to evaluate the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including another VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's flat feet and back disability. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pes planus was aggravated by service and whether it caused or aggravated any current disability of his lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.