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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded to allow for further VA medical examinations and consideration of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, residuals of a neck injury, and right shoulder disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of any such conditions during or related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her thoracic and lumbar spine disability, gluten enteropathy and GERD, and left foot disability do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral feet disability, particularly if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and hemorrhoids, including as secondary to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with abdominal mass. The evidence does not support a finding that the current hemorrhoids are related to the service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. For his tinea pedis with onychomycosis, he receives staged ratings of 0% prior to March 2, 2004; 30% from March 2, 2004 to June 1, 2005; and 0% thereafter.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability or lumbar spine disability, concluding that any current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 50 percent is warranted. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions are also considered in determining whether an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right wrist disability, hypertension, and stomach disability due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee, cervical spine, and low back disabilities secondary to service-connected pes planus. The Veteran's claims were based on the presumption of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of stress fractures of both feet, including her diagnosed plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot pes planus, left hip disability, cervical spine DDD, shoulder and upper extremity disabilities, lumbar spine DDD, bilateral knee disability, lower extremity nerve disability, fibromyalgia, and left ankle disability. The appeals were based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for restrictive lung disease, bilateral foot disability, and cervical spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claims for service connection based on aggravation, TDIU, and increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral foot disability, and various knee disabilities were denied. The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine and right and left knees are rated as 10% since August 17, 2007 and October 25, 2005 respectively. The Veteran's right leg and left leg disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back pain, bilateral flat feet, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities based on a lack of new and material evidence.