The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by military service. The left patellar tendonitis with traumatic retropatellar pain syndrome is currently not manifested by locking, arthritis, crepitus, swelling, effusion, laxity or instability, weakness or limitation of motion (with range of motion from 0 to 140 degrees); the knee was not found to be tender or painful. Therefore, service connection for bilateral pes planus and a compensable initial evaluation for left patellar tendonitis with traumatic retropatellar pain syndrome were denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by military service. The current symptoms of the left patellar tendonitis are due to post-service activities, which caused aggravation of the disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pes Planus, Left Patellar Tendonitis with Traumatic Retropatellar Pain Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2002
- Citation
- 0200242
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 0200242.
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
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