The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left leg shin splints, as well as her claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus with right bunionectomy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not document any complaints, diagnoses, or treatments related to shin splints in either leg during her active duty service. Her current symptoms of shin splints were first noted after she left the military and have been treated by VA since then. The Board found that there is no credible evidence linking her current shin splint conditions to her military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right leg shin splints, Left leg shin splints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20009919
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 20009919.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are rated at a 10 percent rating, effective September 24, 2020. Service connection for hypertension is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right leg shin splints are granted as service-connected, with the condition being related to his military service.,Prior to June 22, 2023, the Veteran's migraines do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. From June 22, 2023 onward, the Veteran's migraines are rated at 30 percent and remain denied for higher ratings.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 16, 2020 for both TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board found the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 16, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, non allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while granting service connection for left knee strain and left leg shin splints.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.