The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected psychiatric disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the preexisting bilateral pes planus worsened beyond a natural progression during service, nor was there sufficient evidence to support an increased rating for the psychiatric disability based on the severity and frequency of symptoms reported by the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress (psychiatric disability)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2024
- Citation
- A24071232
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.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted a separate rating of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis effective February 1, 2023.
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