The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues regarding his bilateral foot disability and left calcaneal spur. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent for the bilateral foot disability, characterized as pes planus, does not meet the criteria. A compensable rating for the left calcaneal spur also does not meet the criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show pronounced and marked inward displacement or severe spasm of the Achilles tendon on manipulation that improved with orthopedic shoes or appliances, which are required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disability (pes planus), left calcaneal spur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19129002
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 remands the claims for a new VA examination to address discrepancies between the Veteran's symptoms and the findings of the previous VA examiner, as well as to adjudicate the issue of entitlement to SMC based on the loss of use of feet.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied, and the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, heart disability, and TDIU were remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue regarding the character of discharge.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability, right and left lower side groin muscle injuries but granted service connection for an anxiety disorder.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with left calcaneal spur and right talus degenerative joint disease prior to June 20, 2014 is dismissed. The appeal was not about service connection at all.
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