The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral flat feet and FSHD of both shoulders, finding that the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking increased ratings for these conditions prior to the issuance of a final decision by the Board.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral flat feet, Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) of the right shoulder, Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20012610
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 20012610.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an effective date of January 8, 2014 for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection and DEA benefits, as they were not properly before the Board. The issues related to increased ratings and TDIU/Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) are remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, lumbosacral strain (secondary to service-connected knee and ankle disabilities), hypertension, diabetes, and bilateral hands arthritis due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), and bilateral flat feet as the evidence did not support a medical nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active duty.
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