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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral claw toe deformity with hallux valgus warrants a 50 percent rating based on marked contraction of plantar fascia, dropped forefoot, and other disabling manifestations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development of his private treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected chronic synovitis of the left knee was denied. The issue regarding service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected chronic synovitis of the left knee is also addressed.,The Veteran requested to reopen his claims for service connection for fallen arches of the bilateral feet and for depression as secondary to his service-connected chronic synovitis of the left knee. His request was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 10 percent, and his claim for service connection of an organic chest disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and pes planus were denied by the Board. The Veteran was found to have Level VIII hearing loss in his right ear, Level IV hearing loss in his left ear, and Level VI hearing loss in his right ear with Level II hearing loss in his left ear. He is currently rated at 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and found that the Veteran's current arthritis of the hands and arms may be related to his in-service injury. The left foot disability is also considered, but no rating adjustment was made as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 20% due to pain and stiffness, which are not considered severe enough for a higher rating. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The back condition is also denied as it is not proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left toe arthritis was denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a more severe disability. His pension claim was also denied due to the presence of other nonservice-connected disabilities that prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder (flat feet) and a lower back disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing flat feet aggravated by service. The lower back disorder was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no competent medical evidence showing that any of the claimed conditions had their onset in service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis have been productive of severe symptoms, warranting an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as a need for another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux valgus is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, manifested by pain when standing or walking and use of orthopedic shoes, resulted in a moderate disability. The RO granted service connection for the condition and assigned an initial 10 percent rating effective August 14, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus and mild degenerative joint disease of the left big toe are both service-connected.