The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and right hallux valgus were not found to warrant an earlier effective date or a compensable rating, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for such from the initial claim date of October 5, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and right hallux valgus were asymptomatic prior to May 6, 2024, and no earlier effective date was factually ascertainable based on the evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pes Planus with Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis, Right Hallux Valgus and Left Hallux Valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26003259
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26003259.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, obstructive sleep apnea (sleep apnea), and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to support these claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
PTSD and TMJ ratings remain denied.,Residuals of musculotendinous tear, right calf, and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis have initial disability ratings denied.,Effective dates for PTSD and TMJ service connection are also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated as 50 percent disabling, effective from the date of the grant of service connection. The initial noncompensable disability ratings for left hamstring strain and right ankle sprain have also been granted.
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.