The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral ankle disorder, DJD of the spine, bilateral hip DJD, and bilateral knee DJD are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.
The deciding factor: The most probative clinical evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are secondary to his service-connected pes planus.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Ankle Disorder (DJD), Degenerative Joint Disease of the Spine, Bilateral Hip DJD, Bilateral Knee DJD
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2012
- Citation
- 1210037
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 1210037.
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 lumbar spine condition was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to November 8, 2023 and upgraded to a 20 percent rating thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and a low back disability are being remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor. Additionally, his claim for higher ratings for his left knee disability is also being remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinions regarding service connection for Morton's Neuroma and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Spine, both claimed as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Spine, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted since the final decisions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.