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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent from March 25, 1996 through January 6, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death. The principal and significant contributing causes of death were atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, which were not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim is well grounded and remands the case for further development to determine if his right foot condition is related to his service-connected knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for right hip and foot disabilities were denied as they are not related to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right fibula.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral disorder of the feet, claiming as flat feet or broken arches, finding that his current condition was not related to his period of service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot and ankle disorder, including pes planus and arthritis, was not well-grounded. The appeal was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection due to undiagnosed illnesses were not well grounded and denied them.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no well-grounded claim for either issue.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for pes planus, whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for arthritis of the hands, whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the October 1988 and September 1992 rating decisions that denied service connection for arthritis of the spine, entitlement to an increased rating for left wrist disability, and entitlement to an increased rating for right wrist disability have been dismissed without prejudice.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for pes planus with hammertoe deformities, status post left bunionectomy is denied as there is no evidence of marked pronation, inward displacement, severe spasm of the Achilles tendon, or extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet.

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The appellant was previously denied service connection for this condition, but her claims were reopened due to diagnosed chronic acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, epidermatophytosis of the feet, and hemorrhoids. The current rating for each condition remains unchanged.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral pes planus with chronic metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, overlapping right second toe, callosities and hammertoes was denied. The November 1976 rating decision denying service connection was found not to contain clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus was denied as the disability is currently evaluated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and bilateral pes planus with calluses, finding that new evidence did not present a plausible claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral weak feet with toe clawing, plantar and toe callosities, and arthritic changes is being remanded due to the need for additional VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for primary and secondary service connection for his skin disorder, as well as a claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain. The decision also noted that the veteran's plantar calluses of both feet are caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, making it well grounded. The other issues on appeal will be addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet, finding that it was not well-grounded due to a preexisting condition and no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disorder, specifically plantar fasciitis, was aggravated during his period of active service. The left leg disorder is still under consideration as additional development is needed.