The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and did not permanently increase in severity during his active service. The back disorder was not present in service, and there is no evidence linking it to service or any incident of service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the competent and probative medical evidence showed that the veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and did not permanently increase in severity during his active service. The back disorder was not present in service, and there is no evidence linking it to service or any incident of service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disorder, back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2002
- Citation
- 0214921
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 0214921.
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a back disorder and tinnitus, as new and material evidence was not submitted.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and remanded several other issues, including service connection for various disorders and increased ratings for the right knee. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinea pedis of the left foot and remanded claims for a bilateral foot disorder, cervical disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbosacral disorder, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and eardrum disorder.
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