The Board denied service connection for a neck condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis, to include bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and hallux valgus (also claimed as bilateral foot problems).,There is no evidence that the Veteran's current cervical spine or bilateral foot conditions are related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s neck condition was not related to service, attributing it to a post-service motor vehicle accident. The examiner also noted that the Veteran did not have any complaints of back pain during service and there is no evidence of arthritis in his cervical spine or spinal fusion during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, Bilateral plantar fasciitis, Degenerative arthritis of bilateral feet, Hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19187609
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include alcohol use disorder, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and PTSD was granted. Other claims for various conditions were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right foot disability, including consideration of bilateral pes planus.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was not factually ascertainable that he was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 28, 2016.
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