{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/flatfoot-bilateral-acquired","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:08.385Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Flatfoot bilateral acquired","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":13017,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":31,"remanded_pct":46.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":39.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":919,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":35.3,"remanded_pct":43.5},{"year":2018,"issues":1477,"granted_pct":16,"denied_pct":33.9,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2019,"issues":1569,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":31,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2020,"issues":1530,"granted_pct":17.4,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":45.5},{"year":2021,"issues":1432,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":32.8,"remanded_pct":46.2},{"year":2022,"issues":1389,"granted_pct":20.4,"denied_pct":26.3,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2023,"issues":1592,"granted_pct":21.4,"denied_pct":24.9,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2024,"issues":1749,"granted_pct":25.2,"denied_pct":26.5,"remanded_pct":46.2},{"year":2025,"issues":1600,"granted_pct":23.3,"denied_pct":31.3,"remanded_pct":43.6},{"year":2026,"issues":650,"granted_pct":30.2,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":32.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":1605,"granted_pct_with":63.1,"granted_pct_without":34.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":9613,"granted_pct_with":38.5,"granted_pct_without":45.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":2020,"granted_pct_with":68.7,"granted_pct_without":32},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":6948,"granted_pct_with":38.9,"granted_pct_without":40.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":3565,"granted_pct_with":51.4,"granted_pct_without":34.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":500,"granted_pct_with":62.2,"granted_pct_without":38.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":10996,"granted_pct_with":39.8,"granted_pct_without":39.1},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":429,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":39.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":504,"granted_pct_with":53.3,"granted_pct_without":39.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":216},{"reason":"presumption of aggravation applies","decisions":49},{"reason":"presumption of aggravation not rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence","decisions":35},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":34},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":27},{"reason":"presumption of aggravation not rebutted","decisions":25}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":349},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":338},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":304},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":246},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":241},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":167}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040955","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"At least as likely as not related to service; Flat feet (pes planus) is a recognized medical condition"},{"case_id":"A26041007","year":2026,"judge":"CORY M. PICTON","rationale":"Resolving doubt in veteran's favor; Lay statements consistent with service complaints; Addendum VA opinion confirmed in-service onset"},{"case_id":"A26040371","year":2026,"judge":"L. M. BARNARD","rationale":"Benefit of doubt resolved in favor; Met criteria for 50% rating effective Oct 17, 2019; Prior to Oct 17, 2019, did not meet criteria for >30% rating"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005122","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Pre-existing pes planus noted at entrance examination.; Veteran contends pes planus aggravated by daily running and marching.; VA medical opinions found negative nexus due to lack of in-service complaints/treatment and progression of pes planus.; Board found private opinions inadequate for failing t… [truncated, 28 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040491","year":2026,"judge":"S. SORATHIA","rationale":"Original decision granted service connection and 10% rating for bilateral pes planus.; Arguments for CUE based on MEB report and higher rating criteria (30% or 50%) were found to be disagreements with evidence weighing, not CUE.; MEB report did not show severe/pronounced deformity required for highe… [truncated, 24 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040532","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"No in-service complaints or treatment for bilateral foot disability.; Current diagnosis of pes planus not linked to service.; VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}