The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder. The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was not aggravated by his military service. For the right knee and left knee disorders, the Board concluded that there was no competent medical evidence to support their incurrence or aggravation in service.
The deciding factor: The Medical Board determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus deformity existed prior to service and had not been permanently aggravated by service. The PEB also found that his right knee pain, due to internal derangement and probable medial meniscal tear, was incurred in service. However, the Board concluded that there was no competent medical evidence linking the current right and left knee disorders to service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2000
- Citation
- 0009597
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0009597.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation of a preexisting disability, but denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities.
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