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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection as the evidence is in equipoise, with the benefit of doubt given to the Veteran. The Board also found that his current ankle pain is not related to military service.

The Veteran's service treatment records indicate left hamstring/pull/strain/tear and arthritic changes of the left foot, including fibular sesmoiditis. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are related to his in-service injury.,Secondary service connection is granted for deformity involving the right distal phalanx and plantar fasciitis, which are found to be caused by the Veteran's pre-existing disabilities of the left lower extremity.

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

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of flat feet or a skin disability of the feet that is related to his military service.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established as there is no medical evidence linking them to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, including a fracture and pes planus, is currently rated at 10 percent. The most recent VA examination found no objective evidence of a left ankle disability with normal x-rays and no limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was received on May 14, 2004. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at May 14, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fibromatosis, finding no evidence of a current disability during or immediately after service and no probative medical evidence linking the condition to service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral leg, knee, and foot disabilities. The Board found that his pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by any incident during service and there is no competent medical evidence linking current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disorder, left hip degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, and flat feet are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and determined that there was an increase in severity of the condition during active duty, allowing for a finding of aggravation. The Veteran's pre-existing pes planus worsened due to military activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, pes planus, and right and left knee conditions. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims for pes planus and right and left knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for both a right hand and right foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of appeals regarding hyperlipidemia, bilateral pes planus and plantar heel spurs with left foot plantar fasciitis, and superior oblique myokymia of the left eye.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to address his claim for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 due to a surgical procedure on the left foot at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center in 1998.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ventricular/auricular contractures, and initial ratings greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from September 10, 2004 to June 29, 2009, and greater than 20 percent from June 29, 2009 have been denied. The Veteran's claims for initial ratings greater than 10 percent for left hip arthritis and bilateral plantar fasciitis are pending.

The Veteran's right and left Achilles tendonitis with plantar fasciitis are currently rated at 30 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to severe symptoms that do not result in loss of use of either foot.,There is no actual or effective loss of use of either foot, which would warrant a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses for privately provided rehabilitation services is being remanded due to the need to obtain missing VA records and provide a medical opinion regarding the availability of treatment at private facilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's flat feet pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The VA Compensation and Pension Examination concluded that his pes planus is a relatively mild condition, common in the general population, and not caused or aggravated by service.