The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for the left foot condition, claimed as plantar fascitis and bone spurs, is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Sinusitis is granted based on positive medical opinion linking current symptoms to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety) is not service-connected as there is no diagnosed condition or treatment in service records.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of a right shoulder strain during service, and the VA examiner concluded it is less likely related to service. The left foot condition was noted but not treated during service, and the current diagnosis is unrelated to service. The sinusitis is linked to service due to consistent complaints and treatment. There are no diagnosed psychiatric conditions in service records.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder strain, left foot condition (variously claimed as plantar fascitis and bone spurs), sinusitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18141489
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18141489.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has ordered the case back to the AOJ for proper notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to provide proper notice of his right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and authorization for private treatment providers. The issues include heart disorder, OSA, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder all related to Agent Orange exposure.
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