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

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for right foot disability. The Veteran's missing teeth are not considered compensable due to their replacement by dentures after service, and his diabetes mellitus is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine if these disabilities are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in severity during service or any other link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot hammertoe, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's right foot hammertoe is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5282. Service connection was established for the other conditions based on direct evidence of a link to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left foot bunionectomy and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim. Service connection was not established as there is no direct link between active duty service and the current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease. The right leg disability is considered part of the right knee disability and not separately service connected. Service connection was denied for bilateral foot and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, pes planus, peripheral artery disease, and glaucoma. The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder claim was not addressed as it is related to a different issue.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for a low back disability and a ganglion cyst of the left hand. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral pes planus is pending.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 50 percent since July 22, 2005. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had all of the impairment required for a 50 percent rating and significant effects on occupation due to weakness, fatigue, and pain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected, as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus did not have its onset during his period of active duty for training and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, but not by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, dental issues, foot pain, cardiac arrest residuals, pneumonia-related pulmonary granuloma, psychiatric disorder, kidney stones, back injury, hemorrhoids, anal fistula, erectile dysfunction, skin disorders, and varicose veins have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability has been found to be essentially asymptomatic, with no clinically significant impairment of the feet. The noncompensable rating assigned is deemed appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and service connection for asthma and sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right side hernia, hypertension, and bilateral foot condition (including pes planus and/or calluses) has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, left hand trigger fingers, right hand trigger fingers, left foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and mid foot degenerative changes, and right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and mid foot degenerative changes have been denied.

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