The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disabilities, including pes planus, peripheral neuropathy, and metatarsalgia, finding that the Veteran's conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by in-service activities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined that the Veteran’s bilateral flat feet, peripheral neuropathy, and metatarsalgia were preexisting conditions that did not worsen during service or are otherwise related to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral flat foot (pes planus), Peripheral neuropathy, Metatarsalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19104646
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and an effective date of August 13, 2019, for the grant of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, service connection for gallbladder disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders, and remanded claims for peripheral neuropathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and residuals of liver disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right third toe disability and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding evidence and further development.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for pes planus, hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, and foot arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot callosities. The Board also granted increased ratings of 30 percent for the callosities on both feet.
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