Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including pes planus and osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, are rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that a combined rating of 20 percent is warranted for both knees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disability, and low back disability. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has vacated the August 2011 decision and remanded the case for further development due to deficiencies in a September 2009 hearing. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability is currently before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with secondary arthritic changes does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected left and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show moderately severe foot injury.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to determine if service connection may be granted for left leg or foot disability, including Achilles tendonitis and pes planus. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hip arthritis, left hallux limitus, and shortening of the right leg.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hip and pelvic disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and foot pain due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for eczematous dermatitis of the legs are pending.

The Veteran's right foot disability, characterized as a retained foreign body and low grade arthritis, is rated at 20 percent disabling. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's prostate disorder was not related to his active service, and his sinusitis did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is not shown to be more than mild in degree, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, degenerative arthritis in both knees, traumatic arthritis in the elbow, pes planus, chronic low back strain, and chronic sinusitis, contributed to his death from an overdose of propoxyphene. The Board finds that these conditions were directly related to the cause of death.

The Veteran does not have a ratable bilateral hearing loss disability due to disease or injury incurred in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for right foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his military service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's scar, plantar surface of the right foot, was initially rated as non-compensable prior to July 23, 2009. From that date forward, a 10 percent rating has been assigned for this condition.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for consideration of additional evidence, including VA treatment records from the Palo Alto VA Medical Center. The Board will also consider whether there was negligence in providing care and determine if compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 can be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any incident of service. The Board found that the current disabilities are unrelated to his active duty and do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left foot disability, resulting from a stress fracture sustained during active duty for training (ACDUTRA), is service-connected.

The Veteran does not have a right foot disability that is causally related to his active military service.