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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a PTSD diagnosis consistent with DSM-IV and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for left foot disability. The claim of reopening the left foot disability claim is granted, but the underlying merits are deferred pending further development.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his right wrist sprain and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied pes planus (bilateral foot condition) was not supported by new and material evidence, thus denying the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus and TDIU based on back and hip disabilities and depression. The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and it was determined that he did not have sufficient additional disability in other conditions to bring his combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus and Achilles tendonitis were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, a stomach disorder, and prostate cancer. The veteran's claim for pes planus was not supported by evidence of pre-existing condition or aggravation in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for gout was denied as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his time in service.,The appeal of the rating for seborrheic dermatitis was dismissed due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting pes planus did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The Board also determined that he did not have any current disabilities involving the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, hips, knees or ankles due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to service, and granted a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The appeal concerning an increased rating for the fracture of the second toe with osteoarthritis and capsulitis of distal interphalangeal joint, mallet toe, was withdrawn by the veteran.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot pes planus is not related to his service-connected chronic thrombophlebitis of the left femoral vein and denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for a nonservice-connected pension due to his service not occurring during a period of war or in the Persian Gulf War, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, asthma, degenerative joint disease (including that of the knees), and bilateral foot disability. The veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities related to service, including knee, leg, foot, hearing loss, eye, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat foot and an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of either claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for plantar callosities of the left foot, service connection for a bilateral knee condition as secondary to the service-connected plantar callosities of the left foot, and reopening of his claim for low back condition as secondary to the service-connected plantar callosities of the left foot.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for additional efforts to obtain service medical records, as well as any relevant prison records. The veteran's flat feet claim will be reviewed by a VA examiner who will provide an opinion on whether there is a 50% probability or greater that the disability was incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Tampa VAMC. The claim will be reconsidered and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) will be provided if necessary.

The Board found that the veteran's blackouts, pes planus, and diabetes mellitus are due to disease or injury incurred in service. The hydrocele of the right testicle is not shown to be related to service. The acquired eye disorder and speech defect are not shown to be due to service.