The Veteran's service connection for bilateral flat feet (pes planus) was reopened, and it is established that the condition preexisted service but worsened during service. The Veteran also has a higher initial rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes at the L5-S1 levels, with lumbar disc disease.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated by service, warranting service connection based on aggravation.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 31, 2015
- Citation
- 1554420
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 1554420.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed military service and did not chronically worsen therein, thus denying service connection.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral flat feet, effective from the date of his claim. The Veteran testified that his symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for this higher rating.
- Granted
The veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee now rated at 20 percent. The pes planus has also been granted a compensable rating of 20 percent. However, the surgical scars from the knees continue to be rated as noncompensable.
- Granted
The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is incurred in service and not due to pre-existing conditions. The presumption of soundness applies, and the veteran is entitled to service connection for his bilateral flat feet.
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.