The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left foot and toes disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to May 12, 2009, and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning May 12, 2009.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed moderate flatfoot on weight bearing with pain on manipulation and use of the left foot, but no evidence of severe disability or impairment that would warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Muscle strain, Pes planus (flatfoot)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 17, 2011
- Citation
- 1119064
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 1119064.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for cervical strain and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 20 percent and 30 percent evaluations, respectively.
- Granted
The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized as residuals of stress fracture, 4th metatarsal, with pes planus and metatarsalgia, is now rated at 20 percent effective November 5, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's disability rating for pes planus, bilateral, with osteoarthritis of the left first MTP and fifth interphalangeal joints was reduced from 50% to 10%, but this reduction is not proper. The Court has restored a 50% disability rating effective April 10, 2017.
- Denied
The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment of muscle strain and pain were denied as the condition was not deemed an emergent situation, and VA facilities were considered feasibly available.
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