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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right foot disability or spine disability related to service and denied both claims.

The Veteran has a bilateral foot disability that is related to active service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are being remanded to allow for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus and TDIU, as well as service connection for degenerative joint disease of both knees, were not timely appealed within one year of notification. As such, these decisions are final.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for bilateral pes planus and asthma, as well as his claim for service connection for epididymitis. The decision also addressed a claim for depression secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of loss of use or severe spasm of the Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of hypertension, but did not address the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors were not related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and thus did not qualify for service connection under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f). The Veteran's left foot disability was also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, which he claims is related to his already service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The case has been remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board is unable to determine if the Veteran's complaints of foot pain are related to his service-connected pes planus or represent a separate disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature, extent, etiology, and relationship of any current foot disabilities (including arthritis) to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his combined rating of 60 percent. However, the Board found that there is no evidence demonstrating he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional VA records and information from providers.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for his bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis prior to September 19, 2008, was denied. His claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent after September 19, 2008, was also denied.

The appellant seeks an increased rating for his service-connected flat feet, currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional development is necessary prior to deciding the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected pes planus and sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis did not originate in service and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for internal hemorrhoids, right knee disability, pes planus, lumbar strain, and arthralgia of the hands and fingers due to lack of a current diagnosis or chronic condition during service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has resulted in pronation, calluses, and accentuated pain on use. The Board finds a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for this condition throughout the rating period.