Fact check: Did other public figures use bone spurs as a reason for draft deferment during the Vietnam War?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, none of the sources directly identify other public figures who specifically used bone spurs as a reason for draft deferment during the Vietnam War. The sources consistently focus on Donald Trump's case, where he received a medical deferment for bone spurs as his fifth draft deferment ^[1].

However, the sources do provide some relevant context: Joe Biden received multiple draft deferments, including a medical exemption for asthma ^[2]. Additionally, one source indicates that many young men from wealthy families found ways to avoid the draft, including by receiving medical deferments ^[1], suggesting that Trump's situation was not unique in terms of wealthy individuals avoiding military service.

The sources also reveal that Trump's bone spurs diagnosis may have been fabricated, with his former lawyer testifying that Trump made up the injury ^[3] and that two doctors helped him dodge the Vietnam War as a favor ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal significant missing context about the broader pattern of draft avoidance during the Vietnam War era. While the sources don't identify other public figures who specifically used bone spurs, they suggest that draft deferments were common among wealthy families ^[1], indicating this was part of a larger systemic issue rather than an isolated case.

The question focuses narrowly on bone spurs specifically, but the broader context shows that various medical conditions were used for deferments - Biden used asthma ^[2], suggesting that the specific medical condition may be less important than the overall practice of using medical exemptions to avoid service.

There appears to be a network or system in place to assist individuals in avoiding the draft ^[4], which suggests that Trump's case was part of a broader pattern of privileged individuals finding ways to avoid military service, even if the specific medical justification varied.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself doesn't contain misinformation, but it may reflect a narrow framing that focuses specifically on bone spurs rather than the broader issue of draft avoidance among public figures. This framing could potentially minimize the systemic nature of draft avoidance during the Vietnam War era.

The question's focus on bone spurs specifically might inadvertently suggest that this particular medical condition was commonly used, when the evidence suggests that various medical conditions were employed for deferments ^{[2] [1]}.

Additionally, the question doesn't acknowledge the allegations that Trump's bone spurs diagnosis was potentially fraudulent ^[3], which is crucial context for understanding the legitimacy of using this particular medical condition for draft deferment.