The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and training, finding that his goal of becoming a radiologist was not feasible due to the nature of the job requiring prolonged standing.
The deciding factor: The VR&C determined that the employment goal of becoming a medical doctor would cause the same problems as his work as a pharmacist did, i.e., foot pain stemming from prolonged standing. The VR&C also noted that there were no other jobs available in pharmacy that did not require prolonged standing.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral flat feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2003
- Citation
- 0308552
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0308552.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an effective date of January 8, 2014 for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection and DEA benefits, as they were not properly before the Board. The issues related to increased ratings and TDIU/Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) are remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, lumbosacral strain (secondary to service-connected knee and ankle disabilities), hypertension, diabetes, and bilateral hands arthritis due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), and bilateral flat feet as the evidence did not support a medical nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active duty.
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