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

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and additional examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus became worse during service, warranting the presumption of aggravation. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for residuals of a right hand injury, middle and ring fingers with degenerative joint disease and scarring of the left forearm, as well as the claims for increased evaluations for pes planus, chronic peroneal tendonitis, tinnitus, status-post left ring finger fracture, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left thumb injury, and residuals status-post polypectomy, colon polyps, with tubulovilous adenoma hiatal hernia with antral gastritis/gastroesophageal reflux disease post previous treatment for helicobacter pylori and chronic duodenitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and a lower back disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation, and that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for arthritis and plantar fasciitis in both feet, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, and a compensable initial evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of her claims, including service connection for left hip bursitis secondary to a service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of allergic rhinitis, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral eye disability are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's plantar warts are manifested by symptoms that are analogous to superficial and painful scarring. A 10 percent rating is assigned for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disability, including plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritic changes at the metatarsal heads, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claim for a left foot disability is pending. The claim for a low back disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing at the Muskogee, Oklahoma RO due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, right ear tinnitus (claimed as a right ear disability), and back disability are not service-connected.,The Veteran did not meet the legal requirements for establishing basic eligibility for VA non-service connected pension benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. The Veteran's low back and left elbow disabilities are being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and contemporaneous examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking medical records from RRB. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations related to his claimed sinusitis, foot disability, and eye disability.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing condition and concluded that the Veteran's flat feet did not develop during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying ACDUTRA service dates and scheduling VA examinations to address the appellant's claims. The issues include reopening previously denied claims of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right foot disability, as well as determining whether new evidence supports reopening other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for low back, right hip, and arthritis of arms disabilities have been denied as not related to active service or service-connected conditions. The compensable rating for traumatic injury to sternal area has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus of the right foot, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left chronic knee disability, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.