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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus were denied, and the appeal regarding the January 1969 rating decision denying service connection was also denied. The RO granted separate 30 percent ratings for left and right pes planus effective from June 13, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated during his period of active duty, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss disability, and residuals of perforated eardrums. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that there are no residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot and that any current symptoms are due to nonservice-connected foot disorders. Therefore, the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected gunshot wound to the left foot is denied.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, and his fungus infection of both feet remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking the foot problems to the knees.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic bilateral foot disability, finding no evidence of such condition in service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to determine if the veteran's current left foot disability is related to injury or reinjury during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and an increased rating for his knee disability. The evidence did not establish current disabilities for either condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements. The case will be returned to the Board after this process.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hammertoe deformities with bunions and blisters, circulatory problems of the lower extremities, and hypertension. The CAVC has now remanded the case to the Board for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's currently demonstrated bilateral pes planus is likely due to an injury sustained during service, and granted service connection for acquired bilateral pes planus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral plantar calluses with clawing of the toes and determined that preexisting bilateral plantar calluses worsened during active service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for flat feet should be remanded due to inadequate notice of the provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, kidney disability, bilateral foot disability, and back disability were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the veteran's feet and back disabilities, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the claims in light of any new evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee disability, left knee scar, pes planus, and dysentery are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection are also granted.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is not manifested by marked deformity, swelling on use, or characteristic callosities but does result in pain on manipulation and use of the feet. As a result, his disability rating for bilateral pes planus remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of her service-connected bilateral plantar fascitis and acquired flatfoot, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.