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

The Board determined that the veteran's vocational limitations due to his service-connected schizophrenia, combined with multiple medical disorders and lack of formal education since 1975, make it infeasible for him to become gainfully employed.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate Guillain-Barré syndrome due to a swine flu vaccination, and his acquired psychiatric disorder, syphilis, right foot disability, and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence to support these claims. The decision also noted that new evidence submitted did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus and a left foot disability. The VA will also schedule the veteran for examinations to determine the nature and severity of any current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right foot disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his hearing loss claim. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury. The claims for bilateral knee disability, right foot disability, and right wrist nerve palsy are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of her bilateral pes planus, low back disability, sinusitis, and right hip disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral pes planus due to lack of competent evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA's redefined duties to notify and assist a claimant have not been fulfilled regarding the issue on appeal. The case is therefore being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical examinations and records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and notification, including scheduling a hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The claim will be reconsidered after all necessary actions are taken.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left or right foot disabilities and thus, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the appellant's bilateral plantar fasciitis had its onset in service. The claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar calcaneal spurs, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and no relationship to service.

The Board has granted an increased rating for bilateral pes planus from 10 percent to 30 percent, effective August 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss or pes planus were related to military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The initial disability evaluations for GERD, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and right foot are maintained at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, or bilateral foot disability during active service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her VA medical records.