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

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The appellant's claims will be reconsidered after this is done.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected and was not caused by his service-connected bilateral claw feet. The non-healing neuropathic plantar ulcer, right first toe, status post partial amputation, is service-connected as secondary to the service-connected bilateral claw feet. Bilateral ankle instability is also service-connected as secondary to the service-connected bilateral claw feet.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. However, after reviewing all evidence of record, including testimony, the Board determined that there is no evidence linking either claimed disability to active service or service-connected disability.

The Veteran claims service connection for left and right foot disabilities, which developed during basic training. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was not incurred in or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case to allow the Veteran to request a local hearing before the Board, and to consider whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent effective April 29, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for pes planus of the left foot was denied. The RO also determined that service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are denied as there is no evidence to support the assertions of secondary service connection or a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of PTSD. However, as the stressors claimed by the Veteran have not been verified, his claim cannot be granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or occurrence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to her military service, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis remains pending as the Veteran wishes to withdraw her appeal on other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence received since the June 2001 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of the claims and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran claims service connection for a right foot disability, which he contends was caused by an injury sustained during active duty in 1966. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his current right foot condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus increased in severity during service and is therefore aggravated by military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability and granted service connection for a urinary system disability. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for traumatic injury to the left leg and knee, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine condition was not found to warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, the low back disability with degenerative disc disease did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation, ureterolithiasis was rated at 10 percent prior to March 14, 2001 and above 10 percent thereafter, plantar fasciitis and heel spur of the right foot were rated as non-compensable, and hypertension was not found to be service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability and a right foot disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's interatrial septal aneurysm is currently rated at 30 percent prior to March 7, 2007 and 60 percent from that date. The Veteran's pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent.