The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to now service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain, is granted on a causation basis.,The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active duty service and is therefore service-connected.
The deciding factor: The evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain is related to his active duty service.,While there is no clear and direct opinion that the bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was caused by his now service-connected back disability, the diagnosis noted above in July 2017 and January 2021, as well as the favorable finding in the July 2021 rating decision of a diagnosis of lumbar spine arthritis with radiculopathy, supports the conclusion that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was caused by his now service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain.,The Veteran experienced continuous bilateral foot pain symptoms both in and since separation from service. The March 1992 service treatment record noted right foot pain, which supports the presumption that the preexisting bilateral pes planus worsened during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain, Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, Bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24054808
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 A24054808.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is not service-connected due to a duty-to-assist error, and remands the case for further examination and opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated by service, warranting a grant of service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for acquired flatfoot. The appeal is denied.
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