The Veteran's bilateral pes planus does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his service-connected disability does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows mild to moderate pronation on the left foot and minimal pronation on the right, with no marked inward displacement or severe spasm of the Achilles tendon. The Veteran's pain is considered in the 30 percent rating but does not warrant a higher evaluation under any other diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0908457
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 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by his military service.
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