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

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral corrected clubfoot and pes planus did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for flat feet due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral flatfoot condition is rated as noncompensable due to mild symptoms relieved by built-up shoes or arch supports. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with hammertoes does not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for flat feet and a GI disorder. The claims for bilateral knee condition, low back disorder, sinusitis, and diabetes mellitus were also denied as not well grounded.

The Board granted secondary service connection for a back disability and assigned a 20 percent rating. The veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current bilateral foot disability is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for residuals of left knee medial meniscectomy, service connection for a left total hip replacement as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a left knee medial meniscectomy, and service connection for a left foot disability as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a left knee medial meniscectomy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media, pes planus, headaches and dizziness, hiatal hernia with GERD, and prostate disorder are well grounded. The claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for prostate disorder is also considered well grounded.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for pes planus was not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, right ear infection, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral leg disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's service-connected left plantar fasciitis and inflammation of the talocalcaneal joint is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 1, 1993. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for the veteran's hemorrhoids and found service connection for a left foot disability, classified as pes planus. The right foot issue is considered new and material due to additional evidence submitted.

The veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and retained metal fragment lateral to the right eye and pterygium have been granted service connection, with a noncompensable evaluation initially assigned in May 1995 and increased to 10 percent in February 1996. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for the retained metal fragment has also been granted.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's bilateral foot disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board granted increased evaluations of 30 percent for hypertension and bilateral pes planus, both determined to be service-connected under the direct theory.

The Board found that the veteran's participation in the Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation program was warranted due to his service-connected disabilities and need for rehabilitation, but denied it because he refused to cooperate in developing a feasible goal.

The VA has granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right great toe disability from zero percent to 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The DIC benefits claim was also denied as the veteran would not have been entitled to a total disability rating due to service-connected disability continuously for 10 years prior to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing pes planus worsened during service and granted service connection for this condition.