The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claims for low back disability, left and right ankle joint pain, calcaneal spurs of the feet, and tarsal tunnel syndrome was granted. The claims for these conditions are now remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: New evidence received since the final denial in July 1991 relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a low back disability, which led to reopening of the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, including degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine, Left ankle joint pain, Right ankle joint pain, Calcaneal spurs of the right foot, Calcaneal spurs of the left foot, Tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right foot, Tarsal tunnel syndrome of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20020175
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 20020175.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, including fracture residuals and RSD, has been reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for his right ankle disability, as well as secondary claims for bilateral knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's joint pain involving the bilateral wrists, hips, and left ankle is presumed to have been incurred in service due to an undiagnosed illness resulting from his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.
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.