The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral pes planus were denied. The claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was also denied as it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 20 percent, and his bilateral pes planus did not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 30 percent. The hip disability was not found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2009
- Citation
- 0947008
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0947008.
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 has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40% prior to September 28, 2018. From that date, the rating was increased to 50%. The earlier effective date for TDIU is denied.
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