The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes in the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The Board finds that no earlier effective date is warranted as there are no pending, unadjudicated claims prior to June 18, 2009 and it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was 30 percent disabling within one year prior to June 18, 2009.
The deciding factor: The effective date for an award of increased compensation will be the earliest date as of which it is ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred, if application is received within one year from such date, otherwise the date of receipt of the claim. In this case, no earlier effective date is warranted as there are no pending claims prior to June 18, 2009 and the evidence does not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability for bilateral pes planus within one year prior to June 18, 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pes Planus with Degenerative Changes in the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 25, 2017
- Citation
- 1713357
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 1713357.
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