The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, pes planus, osteoarthritis, and mild hammertoes, had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service, or that it is related to or aggravated by the service-connected residuals, partial tear, of the left Achilles tendon.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is directly related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Foot Disability, Plantar Fasciitis, Pes Planus, Osteoarthritis, Mild Hammertoes
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1647777
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 1647777.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied as the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal of the PTSD with cannabis use disorder, mild issue is dismissed. The initial rating for plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and migraine disability, both secondary to existing service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right knee strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.
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.