Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened during active military service and is therefore considered aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 45 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees, which would warrant higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and/or 5261.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar warts and calluses was granted as of February 3, 2004. The Board found that the earliest submitted informal claim was dated September 27, 2006, but VA medical records from February 3, 2004, also constituted an informal claim for increase due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and SSA disability determination records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for issuance of a statement of the case regarding his claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran must perfect an appeal if he wishes to have this issue reviewed by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and related conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his current health issues.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including providing notice regarding personal assault claims and associating medical records. A clarifying opinion from a VA psychiatrist on the question of whether any currently manifested psychiatric disorder first manifested during active service or is related to event(s) during active service will also be obtained.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral tibialis and posterior tibial dysfunction, but further development is needed as these issues are currently pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and plantar fasciitis, to include as secondary to his left knee disability, have been reopened. However, further development is needed due to the need for VCAA compliance.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus, but rather has bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's symptomatology is already considered in her existing service-connected disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot problems are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected corns and calluses of the bilateral feet are manifested by pain, an impaired gait, deformed metatarsals, and moderately severe pes planus. The Board denied a higher evaluation for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for left pes planus and osteoarthritis, right ankle with a 10% disability rating effective April 22, 2008. The Veteran's claim of an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus caused or aggravated his left knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, right foot pes planus, left facial numbness, ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and right elbow and hand numbness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot disability is not causally related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his diastolic pressure is predominantly under 100 and systolic pressure is predominantly under 160. Therefore, a higher rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and atrophy of the right testicle, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation or increase in severity during active duty. The Veteran's flat feet were deemed to have pre-existed his entry into service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for service-connected Morton's neuroma with plantar fasciitis of the left foot, finding that there was no increase in disability prior to January 29, 2007.