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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right foot disability did not increase in severity during service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent since January 10, 2006. Prior to that date, the condition did not warrant a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral pes planus are related to service. The claims for these conditions will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral flat feet, effective from the date of his claim. The Veteran testified that his symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for this higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen beyond its natural progression during his active duty service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left exotropia, non-comitant and bilateral pes planus. The evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spur syndrome is manifested by severe flat feet with pronation, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as his combined disability rating is 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The claim has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial evaluations are being remanded due to the need to verify his current address, obtain additional evidence, and schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher 30 percent rating is warranted. The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a low back disability due to the lack of corroborating evidence of in-service stressors and pre-existing conditions, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a compensable rating for any of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and pes planus were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent ingrown toenail of the left and right great toes, as well as bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that these conditions were incurred during active military service.,The Veteran's current disabilities are presumed to have been aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a current left foot disability that is causally related to the appellant's active service or any incident therein, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left ankle sprain, left shoulder strain, cervical strain, and lumbar strain do not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evidence to be obtained and a new VA examination of his left foot disability.

The Veteran's right foot disability is not deemed to be due to VA surgical treatment, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 has been denied.