The Board found that the current left foot disability is not related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: The April 2012 VA examiner opined that the current left foot disability, including retrocalcaneal bursitis, insertional Achilles tendonitis, and gastrocsoleus equinus, is more likely a post-service manifestation of a congenital deformity rather than related to an in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- retrocalcaneal bursitis, insertional Achilles tendonitis, gastrocsoleus equinus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1602847
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1602847.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection and a revision of the February 2002 rating decision on CUE. The Board finds that these issues require further review by the AOJ.
- Granted
The Veteran's Achilles tendonitis and retrocalcaneal bursitis of the left ankle are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The matter of a higher rating for arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction in rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for bilateral foot disability was improper and the 30 percent rating is restored since July 1, 2018. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for service-connected bilateral foot disability, TDIU based on service-connected bilateral foot disability, and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle tendonitis and retrocalcaneal bursitis, as well as bilateral knee strains, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claim for left quadricep repair and bilateral calf pain is remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.