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

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus deformity is rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available under DC 5276.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pes planus and lumbar strain with degenerative changes were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with transverse arch, plantar warts, calluses, partial second toe amputations and exostectomies, post neuroma excision right third interspace is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5276 has already been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The right foot condition is pending as there are no findings regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate and foot disabilities have been reopened.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (heart disorder), warts, lesions of the eyes, hemorrhoids, bilateral pes planus, and erectile dysfunction were all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran claims that his left foot disability was caused by VA treatment, specifically a misdiagnosis and improper treatment of a bunion. The Board finds there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current condition is due to VA care or if it resulted from negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of corn excision on his left foot and for a bilateral foot disability are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pronated feet with pes planus and other conditions, residuals of frostbite to both feet. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding his service connection claims for bilateral pes planus and bone spurs. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus with heel spurs and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, is currently rated at a single 10 percent rating. The Board finds that separate 10 percent ratings are appropriate for each the right and left feet from the effective date of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of such a condition during or immediately following his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for infertility and loss of use of a reproductive organ was granted, with an effective date of October 1, 2005. The initial evaluations for GERD (10 percent), bilateral pes planus (0 percent), and yeast infections and vaginitis (0 percent) were also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle/foot disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis disability was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and the Veteran's request to reopen his claim. His boil on buttocks disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral pes planus were all denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depression, which constitutes a complete grant of the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim. As such, no discussion of VA's duty to notify or assist is necessary.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriasis and pes planus was denied. The Veteran's psoriasis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that there was no aggravation of his pre-existing pes planus during service.