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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there is no evidence of severe deformity or pain on manipulation and use accentuated. The current 10% disability rating adequately reflects the veteran's symptoms.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for each of the veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left knee tendonitis, effective from the date of the February 2002 rating decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral heel disorder, including heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective February 5, 2004. The bilateral flatfoot condition received a noncompensable rating prior to February 5, 2004 and a 20 percent rating effective that date.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and a right knee disorder, thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus symptoms more closely resemble pronounced pes planus with findings on most recent examination, including a collapse of the medial arch bilaterally upon weightbearing; limited range of motion bilaterally; and a lack of propulsion, lack of medial arch support with fatigue and weakness of the lower extremities. The veteran is now rated at 50 percent for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected bilateral pes planus and a compensable evaluation (10 percent) for the service-connected residuals of hepatitis B.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms of pain and swelling.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and entitlement to increased ratings for an epigastric hernia and hemorrhoids. The decision found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and there was no evidence of aggravation.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been manifested by complaints of accentuated foot pain on use and manipulation, and slight tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet. The Board finds that the symptoms associated with the veteran's bilateral pes planus are consistent with the 30 percent evaluation assigned for that condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed arthritis of the feet. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and a skin condition (fungal infection) are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and assigned an initial 10 percent evaluation retroactively effective from April 9, 2001. However, the veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from March 4, 1999 to September 26, 2000 for accrued benefits purposes. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to additional evidence and argument received from the veteran.

The veteran's application for clothing allowance was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his use of orthopedic molded foot supports, which do not qualify under VA regulations.

The RO granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left foot tender plantar calluses, pes planus, plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, effective from August 1998.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than December 1, 2000 for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus. The veteran's claim was based on his informal claim received on November 14, 2000, which did not show an ascertainable increase in disability prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus of the left foot, finding that any possible left foot complaints during service were acute and transitory without residual disability. The current pes planus of the left foot began many years after service and was not caused by an incident of service.