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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional evidence. The claim will be adjudicated again after all actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus or other foot disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim for service connection for headaches was not granted as the evidence did not establish a link between his current headache condition and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder, but denied the remaining claims on appeal. The Veteran's original claims file is presumed destroyed due to Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including congenital pes cavus and acquired hallux valgus deformities with accompanying metatarsalgia, very mild degenerative changes in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, and mild degenerative joint disease of the midfoot, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a plantar wart of the left foot has been withdrawn. The Board is remanding the remaining issues, including an increased rating for a left knee disability with traumatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired bilateral pes planus is at least as likely as not incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus prior to January 10, 2006 is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran suffers from PTSD related to in-service stressors and grants service connection for this condition. The right foot disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder, status post fracture of the right pelvis. The Veteran's current right hip disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims for service connection and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which aligns with the criteria for a moderate disability under Diagnostic Code 5276. The VA examination and private treatment records do not provide objective evidence of marked deformity or swelling on use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, pes planus, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, bilateral hip disabilities, and a low back disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation or pre-existing conditions in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide the claims for service connection. Further development is needed, including VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence of permanent worsening beyond natural progression during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, neck disability, and back disability. The denial was based on the lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, as well as claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of new and material evidence for the bilateral flat feet claim. As such, all related claims must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, his claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, and bilateral pes planus as there is no competent evidence demonstrating current disabilities. The Veteran's pes planus was found to have preexisted service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral pes planus, which he claims began during his military service. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the current condition.