The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 15, 2011.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disabilities with associated right foot neuropathy severely limit his ability to stand, walk, sit, drive, lift heavy objects for prolonged periods, which are essential functions in most jobs. His service-connected conditions also affect his pace, productivity, focus, and concentration, making sedentary employment difficult.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral feet degenerative joint disease, pes planus, retrocalcaneal heel spurs, sural/peroneal neuropathy of the right foot, tender scar of the right foot, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee lateral instability, right knee lateral instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- February 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21009236
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 21009236.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, including secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, is granted. The condition was not related to military service and no aggravation by the service-connected left knee disability could be established.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, finding that her current condition had its onset during active military service.
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