The veteran's bilateral pes planus, with associated hallux rigidus deformity, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis, is rated at 50 percent, which the Board found to be the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability picture did not warrant a higher rating as it was already being fully compensated by the current 50 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, hallux rigidus deformity, arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and talonavicular joint, plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 23, 2009
- Citation
- 0902365
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion on whether plantar fasciitis was aggravated by active duty training.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted a separate rating of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis effective February 1, 2023.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.