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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, residuals of a back injury, bilateral shoulder disorder, hearing loss, and bad feet including flat feet due to lack of evidence of in-service incurrence or current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is pronounced in degree, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including synovitis and pes planus, was incurred in service. The claim for higher initial ratings on the right and left knee synovitis is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with the service-connected GERD and IBS receiving an initial rating of 30 percent effective April 19, 2009. The low back disability received a higher initial rating of 40 percent effective that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and service connection.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her residuals of a right knee strain, status post arthroscopic surgery with open lateral release, and her low back pain disability have been granted. Her initial compensable disability rating for her bilateral foot strain with plantar fasciitis has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome with fibromyalgia is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating, and his left ankle strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis are not found to be related to active duty service.

The Board found that the service-connected bilateral knee and pes planus disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to the Veteran's death from cardiopulmonary arrest due to cardiomyopathy. The VA physician concluded there was no evidence they contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and calluses of the feet, finding no evidence to support these conditions during active duty or as a result of service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, and the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and determine the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, a heart disability, and other conditions. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further development and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral pes planus, including on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left third metatarsal fracture and service connection for right foot condition were denied. The claim for service connection for right knee and left knee conditions was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has ordered a new examination and remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for plantar fascia and a right knee disorder, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.