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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, right foot disability (to include arthritis), left foot disability (to include arthritis), chronic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with weak foot syndrome, manifested by metatarsalgia, is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet had its clinical onset during his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, bilateral foot disability, and upper respiratory disability were denied as not supported by medical evidence.,No service connection was granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right foot disability is found to be aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee and low back disabilities, warranting service connection. The claims for fibromyalgia, a rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability, and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar keratosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and an inadequate VA examination for tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral pes planus, left ankle fracture residuals, and right ankle fracture were granted with noncompensable disability ratings. The Veteran was granted a higher (compensable) initial rating of 10 percent for the residuals of his right ankle fracture and a 10 percent disability rating for the cystectomy scar of the right foot (with fibroma).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examination reports for his right shoulder and bilateral pes planus, as the most recent examinations are outdated. The Veteran will be provided with a new opportunity to undergo these examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claimed groin disability was not supported by evidence of record. Service connection was granted for residuals of pneumonia (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration of all potential theories of entitlement, including aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, reopening of service connection for hypertension and PTSD are REMANDED due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for several disabilities, including right knee DJD, hypertension, a fracture of the right great toe, and deviated septum. The Veteran's initial ratings have been increased to 10 percent for these conditions effective August 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome were all granted with a 10% evaluation. The claim for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim seeking service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence received since the October 1990 decision is not new and material.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral weak foot with plantar callosities, finding that the disability is manifested by flatfeet and mildly painful callosities. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have insomnia or bronchitis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, a groin disorder, and bilateral foot disability are remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the likelihood that his bilateral ankle disability, pes planus, and bilateral shin splints are related to service. Any outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the competent clinical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service. For the other issues, including an increased evaluation for lumbar disc disease with history of scoliosis and a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, the decision is mixed due to some issues being granted while others are denied. The effective date issue regarding lumbar disc disease remains pending.