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

The Veteran's left shoulder, left ankle, right ankle, pes planus, and right shoulder and forearm lipomas were not found to be related to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or specially adapted housing benefits due to his inability to walk without significant assistance.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is found to be related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 50% and he received extensions of a temporary total disability rating beyond June 30, 2008 due to the need for convalescence following surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at the maximum available evaluation of 10 percent, effective May 4, 2006. His service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot disability, specifically post-surgical residuals of left foot calcaneus fracture with short extensor muscle tear, metatarsal dislocation and traumatic arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service, or by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and foot disability are not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the inability of VA to arrange for a VA examination as he is incarcerated. The case will be returned for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and a left foot condition, secondary to his pes planus, are service-connected. The Veteran is granted a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left hand, left elbow, tonsillitis, bilateral pes planus, and Achilles tendon disabilities as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's eligibility percentage for educational assistance under the Post 9/11 GI Bill is granted at 100% due to meeting the criteria of having served on active duty for over 30 continuous days and being discharged from service due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and off-site searches at Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no current diagnosis of hearing loss or foot disability. The right clavicle rating was found to be appropriate at 10 percent. The tinea versicolor ratings were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including hammertoes and pes planus, was aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right hand disability was incurred in service and is granted. The appeal for left foot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities is REMANDED.

The Veteran withdrew from her appeal all claims except for the claim of increase for panic disorder. The Board dismissed these claims as withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of moderate or severe pes planus during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, a gastroesophageal disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of post-service manifestations of hearing loss or any current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus, and thus did not meet VA criteria for disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a chronic left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation, and concluding that any current disabilities were not related to service.