Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to his service and was not aggravated by military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, or diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for additional VA monetary benefits for his spouse S.M. is granted, as the marriage to S.M. is valid and she meets the criteria for dependent status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for further development, including medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a September 2012 written statement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee and low back disabilities were previously denied in February 2003. New evidence submitted since then is not considered material as it does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and a new examination to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus with arthritic changes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and personnel records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle/heel disorder and pes planus. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between her current left ankle/foot disability and her military service.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis from May 8, 2010. Prior to that date, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was productive of mild symptoms relieved by shoe orthotics.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and left foot disability as new and material evidence was not received. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not show their presence or association with military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for ventral hernia, incisional repair with residual abdominal wall muscle strain was granted at 10 percent prior to September 23, 2010 and increased to 20 percent as of that date.,The Veteran's right thumb fracture with residual small muscle strain, status post internal fixation of ulnar aspect, received an initial compensable rating of 10 percent prior to December 15, 2010 and was granted a higher rating of 10 percent as of that date.,The Veteran's right foot pes planus is rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for asthma has been established based on its relationship to the service-connected ventral hernia, incisional repair with residual abdominal wall muscle strain; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Left foot pes planus was not found to be related to active duty service and is not secondary to any service-connected disorder.,Right knee disability and left knee disability were not found to be related to active duty service and are not secondary to any service-connected disorder.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new Board hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been manifested by pain on manipulation and use of the feet treated with orthotics or arch supports, but does not approximate severe pes planus. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right knee instability, and right knee painful motion was denied. The RO also did not assign a compensable rating for right knee limitation of motion prior to May 25, 2011, or grant a greater than 10 percent rating from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of evidence showing that VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment caused his right foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor are he bedridden or housebound. Therefore, his claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the feet has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a present disability of arthritis of the feet.