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

The Board denied service connection for left elbow epicondylitis, right elbow epicondylitis, low back disorder, right hip disability, right ankle disability, and right foot disability. The reasons were that these conditions were not incurred or related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a left knee injury, a low back disability, or bilateral pes planus. The claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus as there was no evidence of the condition during service or at any time post-service, and no current diagnosis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus, as the evidence is stale and he has requested one.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, finding that none of them meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death. The Board found that the veteran's suicide was due to depression caused by a nonservice-connected condition (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as incurred in service. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial. The claims for residuals of low back injury, neck injury, bilateral leg disability, knee disability, and foot disabilities remain denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral shin splints as they are presumed to have existed prior to service and were aggravated by active duty.,For the veteran's bilateral pes planus, the condition was noted at service entry but not symptomatic. The Board found that it was aggravated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus. The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for right leg, knee, and hip disorders are remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the severity of his various disabilities and whether he meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service right foot defects, infirmities, or disorders. The veteran's current right foot disabilities were not shown to have resulted from disease or injury in service, did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise related to service.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 is not productive of pronounced symptoms, while his right plantar fasciitis is not shown to be productive of more than moderate symptoms. The RO denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for keloid scars of the left foot and a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code, finding that she was rehabilitated and did not meet the criteria for reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent and denied an increased rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and a foot disability.,Additional development is required before the merits of these reopened claims can be addressed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a heart disorder (claimed as mitral valve prolapse with mild regurgitation), and essential tremor. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint and disc disease, status post L5 laminectomy, is remanded due to changes in the applicable rating criteria.