Pre-existing condition claims are not inherently harder to win, but they do involve an extra legal question that other claims don't: whether the condition was 'noted' at entry into service, and if so, whether it was aggravated beyond its natural progression by service.
Under 38 USC 1111, every veteran is presumed to have entered service in sound condition unless a condition was noted on the entrance exam. If a condition was noted at entry, the presumption of soundness does not apply, and the veteran must show under 38 CFR 3.306 that the condition worsened during service beyond what would have happened naturally, with medical evidence supporting that increase in severity. If the condition was not noted at entry, VA carries the burden of showing by clear and unmistakable evidence both that the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by it; if VA cannot meet that burden, the condition is treated as incurred in service, not merely aggravated.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →For a flat feet aggravation claim, the key evidence is a nexus opinion from a physician stating that service duties (prolonged standing, boots, hard surfaces, etc.) permanently worsened the condition beyond its natural progression, along with documentation showing the baseline severity before service and current severity now, including range of motion, pain on manipulation, and functional limitations under 38 CFR 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5276 for flat feet.
If a rating decision already addressed aggravation and the veteran wants to challenge the percentage or reasoning, options include a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) with new and relevant evidence such as a new nexus letter or updated exam findings, a Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996) if no new evidence is being submitted but the existing evidence was misapplied, or an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (VA Form 10182) for a fresh look including a possible hearing.
Separately, worsening ankle and knee pain that developed because of altered gait from the flat feet can be filed as a secondary service connection claim on VA Form 21-526EZ, supported by a medical opinion linking the ankle and knee issues to the service-connected foot condition.
The concrete next step is to get a current podiatry or orthopedic evaluation that documents functional loss and, if possible, a nexus opinion addressing aggravation, then file a Supplemental Claim for the feet and a new claim for the ankles and knees as secondary conditions.
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