The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat feet were aggravated by service, warranting service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The VA doctor opined that the gait disturbances associated with pain from the lower back have affected correct mechanics and caused improper joint forces leading to worsening of bilateral hip, knee, and ankle issues. The Veteran's preexisting flat feet were aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20005981
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability but denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee disability prior to April 25, 2019.
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