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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis and an increased rating for his service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for reinstatement of evaluations for Achilles tendinitis with plantar fasciitis are granted, effective from November 1, 1990.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to inadequate evidence and the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot disability, characterized as residuals of healed fractures of the fourth and fifth metatarsals with hammertoe of the fourth toe and plantar wart on the fifth metatarsal, most closely approximates severe foot disability. The RO awarded an increased rating to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus does not meet or exceed the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of pronounced flatfoot with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation. The preponderance of the evidence supports the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disability and left arm disability, including residuals of frostbite of the hand and fingers. The veteran's current foot disabilities were not present during her active military service or for many years after her separation from service and did not have their origin during service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for dry eye syndrome and disability of the digestive tract based on surgeries performed by VA, as well as for extension beyond February 28, 1991, of a temporary total rating based on need for convalescence following surgery performed on November 28, 1990. The claims for service connection are also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear hearing loss and an increased rating for residuals of right (major) 5th finger fracture, but granted service connection for a back condition secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral tinnitus, COPD, myocardial infarction, and hypertension are all service-connected. The evidence shows these conditions were incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis, bilateral defective hearing, and plantar corns of both feet were denied by the RO. The case is now remanded to schedule VA examinations and consider the claim under both the former and revised applicable schedular criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left heel plantar wart and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hallux valgus existed prior to her entry into service and was aggravated by active military service. Therefore, she is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal regarding service connection for rhinitis, hypertension, pes planus, hearing loss and tinea cruris as well as entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. The reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent in the rating for right eye blindness was improper.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for night sweats, a right hamstring condition as secondary to tinea pedis, and flat feet. The claim for an increased evaluation for tinea pedis was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of pronounced bilateral pes planus with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces on both feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo Achilles on manipulation.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeal.

The veteran's claims for shin splints, pes planus, and hearing loss were denied by the RO in May 1999. The case is being remanded due to changes in the law.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for arthritis in the hands, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and osteoarthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spine. The evaluations were found to be appropriate based on the current functional impairment.

The Board denied increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and plantar fasciitis with a calcaneal spur of the left foot, as both conditions are rated at their maximum compensable levels.