The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service. The Board found that the calcaneal spurs were not related to any in-service injury or disease, nor are they likely due to a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The calcaneal spurs were first noted more than 30 years after discharge from service, and there is no evidence linking them to military service or a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs, erectile dysfunction, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), atriial flutter, misaligned right foot, hammertoes, left foot, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, fractured ribs, right shoulder disability, elevated cholesterol, herniated disc of the lumbar spine, left radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (previously rated as dysthymic disorder), lumbar spine surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2018
- Citation
- 1805996
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 1805996.
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
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- Denied
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