The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted at entry to service and is considered a pre-existing disability. The presumption of aggravation attaches, and the Board finds that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition did not worsen during service.,Service connection for right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are granted as secondary to the now-service-connected pes planus.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral flat feet preexisted service but developed significant dysfunction due to military footwear and physical demands. The Board finds that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition did not worsen during service.,Service connection for right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are granted as secondary to the now-service-connected pes planus.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, right ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2023
- Citation
- 23061027
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 23061027.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
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