The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim is denied. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that her bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service or her service-connected knee disabilities. For her right knee disability, the Board finds no basis to grant an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 9, 2009, and grants a 60 percent rating as of that date. The Veteran's left knee disability is also rated at 60 percent since November 9, 2009.

The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of aggravation of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus by her service-connected knee disabilities and denied the claim for service connection. For her right knee disability, the Board determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 9, 2009, was not warranted based on the lack of evidence showing flexion limited to 15 degrees or less. The Board also found no basis to grant an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for her right knee disability as of that date. For her left knee disability, the Board determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 3, 2004, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was not warranted based on the lack of evidence showing flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

Claimed conditions

Bilateral Pes Planus, Right Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (right knee disability), Left Knee Strain with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (left knee disability)

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating

Not verified here — check the original decision

Decision date

May 1, 2018

Citation

1827540

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 1827540.