The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, pes planus, and gout affecting the feet are all service-connected. The veteran is presumed to have been sound at the time of his entry into active military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows a pre-existing condition (diabetes) that worsened during service, as evidenced by the onset date provided by the medical review board and the need for better control medication upon entering service. The pes planus was noted to have existed prior to service but did not worsen therein. Gout affecting the feet is considered a direct result of service due to its long history since 1984.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, pes planus, gout affecting the feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- June 1, 2005
- Citation
- 0514801
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 0514801.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus condition was aggravated by service. The effective date is August 15, 2025.
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