Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2011

The Board found no current left knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of bilateral pes planus is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis warrants a 10 percent rating, reflecting moderate symptomatology and impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, bilateral pes planus valgus, and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of impairment warranting a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of the appellant's bilateral pes planus and to address its impact on his employability. The AMC must consider whether referral for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board denied all service connection claims for various conditions, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of more than the currently assigned ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus results in significant pain with use of the feet, requiring him to utilize orthopedic inserts, a cane, and a wheelchair to aid his mobility. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus effective September 29, 2006. The appellant's claim to reopen the original denial of service connection was received on September 29, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for dermal hypersensitivity and bilateral foot disorder, finding no credible evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for diabetes mellitus, flat feet, and low back injury are being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to clarify the cause of the Veteran's death and the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 10 percent, right foot plantar fasciitis at 10 percent, and left foot plantar fasciitis at 10 percent. All ratings are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right ankle sprain claim was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, status post arthroscopic debridement. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been incurred during his active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and finds that the Veteran's current hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder degenerative joint disease, bilateral heel spurs and pes planus, and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right hand and forearm are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as her combined disability rating is 80 percent, which does not satisfy the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more with additional disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error in various rating decisions are mixed, with some issues being granted and others denied. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of conditions including flatfeet/pes planus, neck muscle strain, wrist disorders, arthritis, cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, conjunctivitis, hyperlipidemia, and sinusitis.