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

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted, but the effective date remains unclear due to a typographical error in the original rating decision. The initial compensable ratings for both conditions are denied.

The Veteran's post-9/11 GI educational benefits are to be paid at the 100 percent level, as she served on active duty for more than 30 continuous days after September 11, 2001 and was discharged due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and tinnitus are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran's gastritis is also found to be service-connected. However, the Veteran's bump on the inside of the rectum and lump on the testicles do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after the examination and any necessary extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The lung disability issue is being remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral flat feet and plano cavus of the feet with valgus deformity of the toes have been denied as a matter of law due to his failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to incomplete examinations and outstanding records.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings, assigning a 10% rating for each of her service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and hip disorders on a secondary causation basis, as they are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral patellofemoral syndrome. The claim for service connection of the bilateral foot disorder is remanded to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and has also granted service connection for tinnitus. The new evidence indicates that the Veteran's preexisting foot disability was aggravated by an in-service injury, while the tinnitus is linked to a head injury during service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 31, 2001. Her hiatal hernia with GERD and IBS is currently rated as 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including heel spurs, pes planus, and plantar fasciitis, is currently rated at 50 percent. The claim for a TDIU remains pending as the effective date of this rating decision has not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his disability under different rating codes.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284 for unspecified foot injuries. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for severe impairment.,The Veteran's left elbow disability has been rated noncompensable (0 percent). The VA examiner found no limitation of extension or flexion, and the Veteran reported intermittent pain without significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his right knee disability and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's eye disability and left foot disability have been granted service connection. The decision on the left foot disability is pending due to a need for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is a direct result of his pre-existing condition. The VA examiner opined that the condition naturally progressed without aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, which was caused by osteomyelitis due to or as a consequence of end stage renal disease (ESRD).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for yellow jaundice and bilateral flat feet. However, the right hip and left hip disability issues remain unresolved.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for yellow jaundice was reopened based on additional medical records submitted since the last final denial.