The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral flatfoot disability was a congenital disease and did not undergo an increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the pes planus was a congenital condition rather than a defect or injury incurred during service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral flatfoot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1402265
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1402265.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for a skin condition, traumatic brain injury, a respiratory disability, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral flatfoot.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic back pain, bilateral flatfoot, and hypertension as these conditions are found to have onset in service and continued since separation from service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for alopecia and bilateral flatfoot as secondary to service-connected conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot and osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.
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.