The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus from August 11, 2009 to April 4, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show severe level of flatfoot disability such as marked deformity (e.g., pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, or characteristic callosities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were noted to be mild with no objective evidence of marked deformity, swelling, or characteristic callosities as required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21008209
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 21008209.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeals regarding the evaluation of bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of fractures of the second, fourth, and fifth left toes, as well as the evaluation of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with loss of use, are dismissed as untimely.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus condition was aggravated by service. The effective date is August 15, 2025.
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