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

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, peptic ulcer disease with gastric obstruction post-surgery, and diabetic nephropathy are all service-connected. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions but the ratings assigned remain noncompensable.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, and plantar fasciitis. The initial compensable evaluations for recurrent lipomas, multiple lipoma excision scars on the left flank and right elbow, and a left flank scar have also been denied. The Board has not addressed the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right elbow, right ankle, right shoulder, lower jaw, right foot sural neuropathy, or left foot sural neuropathy as they are considered part of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an initial rating of 10 percent, and a subsequent increased rating to 20 percent effective March 5, 2009. The Veteran's left leg radiculitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis were each granted initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral flat feet, finding no current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma right orbital region was reduced from 100% to 10%, effective June 1, 2009. Service connection for pes planus (claimed as bilateral foot condition) was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart failure and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The decision is final as it pertains to the original grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The claim for bilateral pes planus was previously denied due to a lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his complete service personnel file and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature of his bilateral pes planus and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's request and because some issues have not yet been certified to the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the threshold service eligibility requirements. The Board found that his military service does not qualify him for VA pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus existed prior to service but was aggravated by active military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Board also found that neither his bilateral hallux valgus nor hammertoes were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and right ankle sprain with residual mild laxity and decreased range of motion, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, or a bilateral foot disability due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking the current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, as well as pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus of both feet, were denied. The clinical evidence did not show any additional limitation of function or pain noted with repetitive motion at the most recent VA examination in January 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and bilateral pes planus have been granted initial compensable ratings of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal includes a claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the fifth metatarsal. The case is remanded to address these issues, including providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection and obtaining a new examination if necessary.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm cyst, flat feet, Bartholin's cyst, and breast mass were previously denied. New evidence submitted since the last denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims. The Veteran's current right knee disorder and low back disorder are not shown to be related to her active service.