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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, right shoulder disability, and left foot disability. The issues of initial compensable evaluations for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder disability were addressed but not decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and updating his claims file with any relevant post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected left foot disability is denied as the medical evidence does not show loss of use of the left foot.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, effective from the date service connection was granted. The right and left great toe bunions are not considered severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus did not undergo an increase in severity during service and therefore, it was not aggravated by his military service. The Board also determined there is no evidence of a current bilateral leg disability secondary to pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with hammertoes is currently rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent each have been granted for arthritis of both feet.

The Board denied service connection for a right arm disability and bilateral pes planus, including as due to residuals of cold weather trauma. The Veteran's right ankle disability was also denied an increased rating.,Service connection for the claimed conditions is not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the right knee or right foot, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back condition, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative osteoarthritis, was granted. His pes planus disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an effective date prior to May 26, 2006 for a 10 percent disability rating for postoperative plantar warts, bilateral feet. The claim was denied as it is not factually ascertainable from the evidence of record that the Veteran was entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for his postoperative plantar warts prior to May 26, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records, and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's right ankle/foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic right ankle sprain, PTSD, and plantar fasciitis have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10% are appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for back and bilateral foot disabilities, finding no evidence of pre-existing conditions that were aggravated by service or otherwise incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic foot disability and an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, conduct further examinations, and consider new evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis and cluster headaches have been evaluated, but the issues of bilateral pes planus, left leg disability, and back disability are denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no evidence that preexisting pes planus was aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was denied as there is no evidence of a disability during service or within one year thereafter.,There is also no evidence of flat feet during service. The Board found that the current diagnosis of flat feet did not manifest until several years after discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim.