The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet. The Veteran's STRs show pes planus, and she submitted two buddy statements supporting her claim. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between her current bilateral flat feet condition and service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence was received since the February 2020 rating decision, including STRs showing pes planus and two buddy statements from fellow service members who witnessed the Veteran's foot problems. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between her current bilateral flat feet condition and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral flat feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 8, 2024
- Citation
- A24036184
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 A24036184.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an effective date of January 8, 2014 for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection and DEA benefits, as they were not properly before the Board. The issues related to increased ratings and TDIU/Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) are remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, lumbosacral strain (secondary to service-connected knee and ankle disabilities), hypertension, diabetes, and bilateral hands arthritis due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), and bilateral flat feet as the evidence did not support a medical nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active duty.
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