The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a current bilateral foot disability related to documented complaints in service and resolves the remaining reasonable doubt in his favor.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no medical evidence that the Veteran's pes planus was caused by or permanently aggravated by his service, but also did not consider the potential impact of regular wear and tear on the feet in the course of ordinary military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19126708
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hallux valgus, as well as the denial of a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis, were decided. The appeal was also granted for service connection for right leg pain, left leg pain, right ankle condition (also claimed as Achilles tendon), and left ankle condition (also claimed as Achilles tendon).
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's tarsal tunnel syndrome, pes planus with degenerative arthritis, and hallux valgus, as well as service connection for various disorders.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to render him unable to physically care for himself, thereby granting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for GERD was granted, but no earlier effective dates were granted for the other service connection claims.
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