The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right Achilles tendinitis as secondary to service-connected Morton's neuroma of the right foot, finding that the claim was received on May 19, 2015.
The deciding factor: The claim for service connection for right Achilles tendinitis was not part of the Veteran's original April 2009 claim for secondary service connection for her right foot. The effective date is limited to the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Achilles tendinitis, Morton's neuroma of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18150399
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 18150399.
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 is remanding the claims for service connection and effective dates earlier than March 20, 2020 due to duty to assist errors and a request for a good cause extension of time limits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of degenerative disease (other specified arthritis) of the first right MTPJ, right plantar fasciitis, and right Achilles tendinitis due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his right foot Morton's neuroma and hallux rigidus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that further development is required to obtain outstanding records, including those from the Veteran's VA vocational rehabilitation program and her TDIU application for the period from May 2003 to October 2008. The case is being remanded for these purposes.
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