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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot pes planus is not caused by VA treatment or lack thereof, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the left foot due to surgery in December 1997 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus with associated plantar lesions, but denied service connection for plantar warts.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus of the right foot and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for pes planus of the left foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus does not result in deformity, calluses, edema, or any restricted range of motion. Therefore, an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability. The Veteran will need a supplemental VA examination to address findings in service treatment records.

The Veteran's right second toe scar was granted an initial 10% disability rating from February 26, 2007 to February 17, 2009.,From February 18, 2009, the Veteran is entitled to a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his right second toe scar.,The Veteran's hammer toes of the right foot with degenerative joint disease are also rated at 10%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, finding that there is no medical evidence or opinion linking any current disability to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral foot disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The hearing loss disability was rated as Level I in both ears, but not compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis and pes planus, finding that the Veteran had these conditions during his active duty. The Board denied service connection for disabilities of the knees, legs, lumbar spine, and cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more detailed examination to assess his bilateral pes planus, including pain and swelling on use. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including secondary to the service-connected residuals of a right fibula fracture is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from VA facilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a mental disorder, hearing loss, and recurrent plantar warts on the left foot were denied. The Veteran was not granted an increased rating for his recurrent plantar warts.

The Veteran's tension headaches, bilateral pes planus (rated at 30% since May 7, 2008), sinus condition, hemorrhoids, and cervical spine disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran does not have plantar fasciitis that is related to his period of military service or a service-connected disability. The Board finds the Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, foot (pes planus), right leg, and hearing loss in the right ear disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder strain and his claim to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, but did not consider the merits of this issue as it was not appealed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder strain and bilateral pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and a left knee disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability and headaches is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation beyond the assigned 10 percent rating.