The Veteran's bilateral foot disability was granted a rating of 30 percent from April 22, 2015 to November 7, 2017; and of 50 percent from November 8, 2017. The left shoulder disability was denied an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of the Veteran's bilateral foot and left shoulder disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- plantar fascia fibromatosis, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left shoulder with impingement syndrome, lumbar strain/myositis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18140810
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 18140810.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including arthritis, due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for an addendum medical opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar strain/myositis, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a grant of TDIU is warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence being added to his case file.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting lumbar strain/myositis was aggravated during active service, and thus service connection is granted.
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