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

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right foot plantar fibroma is likely as not due to disease or injury incurred during his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral kidney disability and bilateral foot disability. The claims are not currently decided on service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current foot disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of severe disability such as marked deformity or swelling. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's service-connected flat feet disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing service treatment records and verifying stressors. The Veteran is also given an opportunity to present evidence from her mother and sister.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with claw toes and allergic vasomotor rhinitis are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except hepatitis, to include hepatitis C, have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is service-connected, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The issues of an increased evaluation for his lumbar strain and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disorders, bilateral foot disorder, hemorrhoids, and a right eye disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus was denied by the Board, as there is no evidence of marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, or severe spasm of the tendo Achillis on manipulation. The current evaluation of 30 percent remains in effect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right inguinal hernia, status-post repair had its onset in service and is presumed to have been incurred during peacetime service. The bilateral hand disability and bilateral foot disability are not addressed as they were remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral metatarsal exostosis with partial right hallux and bilateral pes planus are not service-connected, as the conditions are determined to be due to natural progression of the Veteran's condition rather than any in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction, an eye disability, a back disability, and a foot disability (claimed as 'bad feet'). The claim for lung disability, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asbestosis, is pending. Service connection has been established for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral pes planus, service connection for allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux secondary to asthma, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to gastroesophageal reflux have been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's previously disallowed claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities were not reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, arthritis of multiple joints, an eye disorder, cold weather injury to the hands, fingers, legs, toes, and feet, bilateral pes planus, and hammer toe disability. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected left plantar fasciitis is manifested by pain, severe pronation and the use of orthotic inserts. The Board finds that the disability picture presented by the Veteran's left foot disability warrants an increased evaluation to a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5276 for severe unilateral flatfoot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination and vocational rehabilitation records.