Board reasoning
The Board concludes that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus underwent a permanent increase in severity during active service, which culminates in a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The pre-service condition was noted at entry, and the record shows a progression of symptoms and credible reports of in-service aggravation, supporting a grant of service connection under the applicable statutes and case law cited in the decision. The reasoning relies on the presumption of soundness being rebutted and on the medical evidence tying current plantar fasciitis to the preexisting pes planus.
Issues
- Service connection for bilateral pes planus, now diagnosed as bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitisGranted
Extracted with gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07. Citations are kept only when they appear in the decision text.