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

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's bilateral ankle and foot disorder, including pes planus, did not pre-exist service or become permanently aggravated by service. The low back strain was also not incurred during active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 13, 2001 for the grant of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral flat feet and allergic rhinitis do not warrant evaluations in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension, bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus with bunion (right foot), and chondromalacia patella of both knees. The veteran was not granted any new disability ratings or service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis with bone spur and hammertoes, finding that there is clear indication of swelling on use.

The veteran's application for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38 was denied because he did not meet the criteria for a serious employment handicap, despite having a service-connected disability.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, and he has other service-connected conditions. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his right knee condition or a TDIU based on his overall disabilities.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of additional disability resulting from VA treatment for a March 1999 fracture of the right ankle, and thus denied her claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus did not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for a more severe disability classification.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 25, 2001 for service connection of bilateral flat feet and arthritis of the lumbar spine with chronic pain syndrome due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to his military service.

The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability and flat feet are being remanded due to his incarceration at a correctional facility. The RO must attempt to schedule examinations by VA, fee basis examiner, or medical personnel at the correctional facility to determine the current nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability and flat feet.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it is not considered incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for anemia, low back disability, and bilateral pes planus are granted. The veteran had a current diagnosis of radiculopathy of the lumbosacral spine during military service, which is presumed to have been aggravated by service. Bilateral pes planus was noted on entrance into service but did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during active military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The RO denied reopening of the veteran's service connection claims for Raynaud's disease and pes planus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic stomach disability, left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, foot disability, left shoulder and arm disability, sinus disability, bronchial asthma, or an acquired psychiatric disability that was incurred in service. The veteran's complaints were generally attributed to reflux disease.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus and determined that it was aggravated by active military service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a scheduling issue, and no specific decision on the merits is provided.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet because new and material evidence had not been submitted, as the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.