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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar callosities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including new examinations and obtaining SSA records. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus and service connection for degenerative disc disease of L4-5 with spondylosis, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the VA Regional Office (RO) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The BVA found that the VA examination was inadequate and that further development is needed to ensure compliance with the VCAA.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right foot and right knee disabilities.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has ordered further development in your case due to pending issues and evidence. Your case was sent to the Board's Evidence Development Unit (EDU) for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left gastrocnemius muscle atrophy and fracture of the left talus with pes planus and arthritis, as well as an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The RO has rated these conditions under Diagnostic Code 5311.

The veteran's Bell's Palsy and bilateral pes planus with resultant bone spur on the left foot, first metatarsal cuneiform joint were granted service connection. The initial evaluations for residuals of a left ankle sprain, status-post vasectomy, L5 nerve root irritation, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder have been assigned.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for higher evaluations for service-connected acne dermatitis of the buttocks and plantar warts of the left foot, as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable or increased evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and an increased evaluation for neurodermatitis of the groin. The veteran's pes planus is considered congenital in nature and not incurred or aggravated by active service, while his neurodermatitis of the groin was found to be productive of constant itching but no more than 30 percent disabling.

The veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease and hammertoes, as well as left knee injury. The Board has determined that VA examinations are required to properly evaluate these conditions.

The veteran's asthma was rated at 10 percent from July 31, 1996 to January 3, 1999 and at 30 percent thereafter. The evaluation for bilateral pes planus remains at 30 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and foot disability are related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is being remanded due to the need for additional clinical evidence and an examination to determine if his current foot disorder was aggravated in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's foot disorders, including gout and plantar fasciitis, are not service-connected. However, a fractured left great toe is considered service-connected as it resulted from an injury sustained during active duty.

The veteran's plantar warts of the right foot are found to be related to his service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Board finds that the veteran had problems with his flat feet during service, which is sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board found no evidence of chronic back disorder in service and insufficient competent medical evidence to establish a connection between the veteran's current back disorder and his period of active duty service. Therefore, service connection for both pes planus and lumbar fusion claimed as back disorder was denied.