The veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, status post right foot surgery with residual right first metatarsophalangeal joint strain, and numbness of the left side of the tongue with decreased facial articulation were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The veteran's pes planus was found to be moderate in degree without objective evidence of marked deformity or swelling. The right foot surgery resulted in a noncompensable disability rating due to its mild nature. The numbness condition met the criteria for a compensable initial disability rating but not higher.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Status Post Right Foot Surgery with Residual Right First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Strain, Numbness of the Left Side of the Tongue with Decreased Facial Articulation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2002
- Citation
- 0216023
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0216023.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied service connection for left foot tendonitis. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis were rated in excess of 10 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis based on the probative evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disability and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, render him unemployable. The Board has resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting TDIU.
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