The Board denied service connection for pes planus, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service. Service connection was granted for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran's pes planus preexisted his military service, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The Board also noted that the veteran's low back disorder was caused by his right knee strain, which is already service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- Pes planus, Degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2002
- Citation
- 0208325
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 0208325.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than August 31, 2016, for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome with spondylolisthesis and pes planus because that was the date VA received his intent to file a claim following a previous final denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right third toe disability and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding evidence and further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for pes planus, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left foot surgical scars and residuals of bunionectomy due to the need for an SOC.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection and rating of the veteran's conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee, spine, shoulder, and foot issues, has been withdrawn and dismissed.
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