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

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes cavus does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent. The hip and ankle arthritis were not shown to be related to military service, and the feet arthritis was not shown to have been incurred during active duty.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury to the feet and insufficient medical nexus between any current disability and service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for each foot, effective March 13, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action on all three issues: increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus, service connection for a psychiatric disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus, and total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the veteran's disability picture is not consistent with the criteria for a higher rating, and his appeal for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and tinea pedis and onychomycosis of both feet is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for pes planus and service connection for hallux valgus, but granted service connection for hammer toes on a secondary basis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no clinical diagnosis of the condition. The claims for foot disability and hearing loss are addressed in a separate remand.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disorder, specifically pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, is productive of moderately severe disablement. The initial disability evaluations for both feet have been granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's flat feet do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The preponderance of evidence does not support an initial 10% rating, which is required for moderate bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied service connection for folliculitis, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a 30 percent rating based on severe disability.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, a postoperative right foot disability, and a right knee disorder. The claims were not reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection was reopened, and he was granted a 10% rating for residuals of removal of plantar callous on the left foot effective from November 29, 2000. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for cardiac disease is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is related to her service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for flat feet remains pending.

The veteran's bilateral foot disability, specifically severe pes planus with residuals of injury to the left foot, is now rated at 50 percent due to pronounced deformity and pain.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent, and her bilateral pes planus remains at a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's death was caused by cardio-respiratory arrest, with atherosclerotic heart disease and hypertensive vascular disease contributing substantially to his death. The appellant has established that the veteran had internment as a POW for at least 30 days, which qualifies him for presumptive service connection under the revised regulations.