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

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus based on aggravation during military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip, foot, and lumbar spine disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for right foot plantar fasciitis and left foot plantar fasciitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a reinstated 10% disability rating for right foot plantar warts was denied as there is no evidence of any claims or clinical evidence relating to the condition prior to December 26, 2007.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with valgus and plantar fasciitis was rated at 20 percent prior to April 4, 2008. Effective from that date, the rating for this condition has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for various lower extremity disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and gastrocnemius equines. The RO continued the denial of higher ratings in April 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease and dextroscoliosis of the lumbosacral spine are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic eye disorder, prostate disorder, or bilateral foot disability in service and insufficient medical evidence to support the claimed etiologies.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right or left foot disability that was incurred or aggravated by service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right or left foot disability that was incurred or aggravated by service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to flaws in the March 2008 examination report and issues regarding whether the Veteran's ankle pain is a symptom of his foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a prostate disorder. The Veteran's bilateral foot and eye disorders are not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed right knee and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA feet examination. The examiner must address whether there is evidence of a retained body in the Veteran's right foot and provide an opinion as to whether any currently diagnosed right foot disability is due to an event not reasonably foreseeable as a result of the August 1989 or February 1990 VA surgeries and/or subsequent VA medical care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's statements regarding a history of onset of bilateral foot symptoms in service with continuity thereafter are not credible, and as his statements constitute the only evidence in the present appeal averring a link between his claimed bilateral foot disability and service. Therefore, the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his bilateral foot disorder (pes planus) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records from the Lawton and Oklahoma City facilities.