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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations related to his right foot, low back, nose, and inguinal hernia disabilities. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for a right foot disability, and that there was no evidence of a chronic nose or low back disability. For the period prior to February 13, 2009, the Veteran's residuals of inguinal hernia were evaluated as noncompensable, but from that date forward, he received a 10% evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the appellant's pre-existing pes planus did not increase in severity during service and that any other foot conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is service connected due to aggravation during service, and thus granted the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined schedular 100 percent evaluation was denied as there has been no adjustment of any evaluation assigned for service connected disabilities prior to October 30, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and pes planus in January 1985 and March 1986, respectively. The Veteran's claims were not reopened with new evidence submitted since those decisions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is now rated at 10 percent disabling, which more closely approximates moderate symptomatology.

The Board is remanding the case for an addendum opinion from the examiner to determine if the Veteran's foot symptoms can be attributed to pes planus or plantar fasciitis, and whether separate ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's pes planus is characterized by pronation, pain on manipulation, and calluses. The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for toenail fungus, pes planus, and arthritis of the feet have been denied. The Veteran is granted a compensable evaluation (10%) for his scar status post cholecystectomy with incidental appendectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left foot, left knee, or low back disability that is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in symptomatology during his active duty service and thus, he is not entitled to service connection for a bilateral foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by military service and was caused by his pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet, as it is unclear whether an opinion can be provided without resorting to speculation. The case will be returned to the RO for further development and a supplemental opinion from the examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and to obtain all relevant treatment records. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hallux valgus with pes planus, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee instability and arthritis have been granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of his discharge from service in November 1945. The Veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and a more detailed examination of his left knee. The issues on appeal will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his cervical spine disability and service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including as secondary to his cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg and foot disorder, including bilateral pes planus and weak legs. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's current chronic foot disabilities of right foot heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are etiologically linked to his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right ankle, warranting service connection.