The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis. The Board found that pes planus and hallux valgus were pre-existing conditions not aggravated by service, while plantar fasciitis was determined to be a direct service condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pes planus and hallux valgus were found to have existed prior to service and were not aggravated beyond their natural progression. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's plantar fasciitis manifested during service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Pes Planus, Hallux Valgus, Plantar Fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22005163
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 22005163.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied as the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the PTSD with cannabis use disorder, mild issue is dismissed. The initial rating for plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available for unilateral pes planus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence in the file on which to decide these claims. The appellant's VA treatment records contain diagnoses of GAD and OSA, and he reported symptoms related to his disabilities during service. A new examination and opinion are required to determine if the acquired psychiatric disorder is associated with service, as well as for OSA and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.