What are some tips on trying to prove service connection for pes cavus?

SPC Jeff Hogan, M.S., M.P.S. — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 23:43:05 -0400

Response by SPC Jeff Hogan, M.S., M.P.S. made Aug 9 at 2017 11:44 PM

SPC Jeff Hogan, M.S., M.P.S. — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 23:44:05 -0400

My entrance exam notated moderate pes cavus. For some reason my exit exam didn't note it at all. I do have several records of foot trauma in service and I was a paratrooper which I'm sure didn't help.

Response by SSG Robert Smith made Aug 10 at 2017 12:13 AM

SSG Robert Smith — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:13:45 -0400

If it doesn't appear the first time on your service rating resubmit it or appeal. The compensation is for aggrevation of prior injuries also. Don't give up.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Aug 10 at 2017 1:34 PM

SFC Andrew Miller — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:34:23 -0400

Since pes cavus is a congenital condition, it would be pre-existing. You would have to show that trauma made the pes cavus worse which is very difficult to do by the very nature of the condition.

If you had significant foot trauma and have residual effects of that (range of motion, pain, disfigurement, scarring, etc.), then you are better off applying for that on its own instead of trying to tie to the high arches. To be a successful claim you need to have an incident, accident, or exposure in service; you need to have any existing diagnosis; and you have to have a medical nexus connecting the two.