An initial 50 percent rating for bilateral flat feet is granted, effective September 23, 2007. The claim of entitlement to an initial higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to October 25, 2016 and thereafter is denied. The claims of entitlement to an initial higher rating for varicose veins of left lower extremity and right lower extremity are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral flat feet have been rated at 50 percent since September 23, 2007, based on pronounced symptoms as evidenced by the October 2016 VA examination report. The claim of degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied as there is no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less after October 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral flat feet, Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Varicose veins of left lower extremity, Varicose veins of right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18150150
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 18150150.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's back condition is granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for LLE and RLE radiculopathies are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities on a direct basis, finding that these conditions began during active service.
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