The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and an undiagnosed illness manifested by back pain, muscle spasms, and swelling joints are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is directly related to his service, while the undiagnosed illness is presumed due to service in Southwest Asia.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was directly related to his service, as evidenced by complaints and treatment during active duty. For the undiagnosed illness, the Board determined it manifested within one year of separation from service and could not be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs, undiagnosed illness manifested by back pain, muscle spasms, and swelling joints
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1734996
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 1734996.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the appeals for scheduling of VA examinations to assess the current severity and functional impairment of various service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis, left knee strain, bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bladder dysfunction, and bowel dysfunction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, and bilateral ankle conditions secondary to bilateral pes planus.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed back condition, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral knee conditions as they are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs.
- Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD and/or bipolar disorder. The claim for increased rating of bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs remains denied.
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