The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and left ankle strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current VA examinations did not comply with the requirements of Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) and thus ordered a new examination to ensure proper consideration of functional loss during flare-ups and repeated use over time.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, Left ankle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18139124
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 18139124.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and left ankle strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for a left ankle strain and limitation of extension and flexion of the left knee have been granted. The rating for limitation of flexion is subject to further review.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right ankle conditions are rated at a 20 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, effective January 23, 2020.
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