The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee, right ankle, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities. The RO found that these conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on current symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no significant impairment of joint stability or instability, and the range of motion was within normal limits with some crepitus noted in the right knee. The veteran's symptoms were primarily related to pain and stiffness rather than functional limitations that would warrant higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes for limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee injury, Right ankle injury, Plantar fasciitis with bilateral heel spurs
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2002
- Citation
- 0215440
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0215440.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right ankle disability was dismissed because his Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not filed within the one-year deadline and he did not request an extension. The Board found that the NOD was untimely.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle injuries, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of back, left knee, and right knee injuries due to a lack of VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle injury and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.
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