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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees is not related to his service-connected left foot disability, and thus cannot be granted on a secondary basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied. The secondary service connection claim for a back disorder related to bilateral pes planus is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his employability given the passage of time since his last examination and his assertion that his disabilities have worsened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral foot or bilateral hand disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for recurrent UTIs is also denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as bilateral pneumonia, cerebrovascular disease, and Parkinson's disease. The Board found that his service-connected knee disabilities did not contribute substantially to his immobility or development of pneumonia.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as it pre-existed his military service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining verification of reserve service dates and occupational specialty, as well as obtaining any outstanding reserve treatment records. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will also require a medical opinion regarding its etiology. For the issue of an increased rating for pes planus, the Veteran has expressed disagreement with the July 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's callosities of the left and right feet have been rated as moderate, but he has not provided evidence that his condition warrants a higher rating. The Board finds no basis to grant an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims. The additional evidence submitted since the August 2005 decision was considered cumulative or did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board found no evidence of a fracture or injury to the Veteran's left foot during service, and there is insufficient credible medical evidence linking his current left foot disability to his military service. The claim for arthritis was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for most conditions, and there was no indication of any exposure to known causative agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied.,His PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 13, 2004. He is also entitled to a TDIU rating prior to October 26, 2006, but this benefit is moot due to the grant of a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung damage, pes planus (flat foot), cataracts, and a spinal disability. The claim for alcoholism and drug abuse was not granted as a matter of law due to the prohibition on direct service connection after October 31, 1990.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus cannot be reopened as there is no new and material evidence to support his claim. The claims for increased disability ratings for low back and right knee disabilities have also been denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current disability or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of or post-service treatment for a bilateral ankle disorder, and therefore service connection is denied. For his pes planus claim, the Board found no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression during active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a travel Board hearing. The issues include service connection for various foot and knee conditions, as well as reopening of previously denied claims.