The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral pes planus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 30 percent. Service connection for a left ankle disorder was also denied, as there was no clinical onset in service and it is not otherwise related to active service or to a service-connected disability. Finally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been characterized by severe pain that was accentuated with manipulation and use, calluses, and swelling throughout the appeals period. However, his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. The left ankle disorder was not service-connected as it did not have its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active service or to a service-connected disability. Lastly, there was no evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pes Planus, Left Ankle Disorder (not service-connected)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1515920
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 1515920.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable rating for athletes' foot and a greater than 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus have been dismissed due to untimely VA Form 10182 submissions.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for traumatic brain injury is granted, and he is awarded a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD and additional disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence in the file on which to decide these claims. The appellant's VA treatment records contain diagnoses of GAD and OSA, and he reported symptoms related to his disabilities during service. A new examination and opinion are required to determine if the acquired psychiatric disorder is associated with service, as well as for OSA and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis.
- Granted
The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD effective April 3, 2024, and assigned an earlier effective date of August 29, 2024, for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits and a higher initial rating for bilateral pes planus is denied.
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