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Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral pes planus, left and right knee disabilities, and low back disability have been denied. The highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes is already assigned.

The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that any of the conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

Claimed conditions
Pes Planus with mild hallux valgus and degenerative change of the first metatarsalangeal joints and degenerative changes of the feet, Left knee instability prior to November 23, 2015, Right knee instability prior to November 23, 2015, Degenerative changes of the right knee, Degenerative changes of the left knee, Degenerative disc disease and joint disease of the lumbar spine (low back)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
September 15, 2017
Citation
1743966

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 1743966.

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.

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