The Veteran's claim of service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim, but further examination and medical opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of his current bilateral foot conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims for service connection require a determination on whether any current foot condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service or was aggravated by service. The Board also needs to determine if any current foot condition had its onset during service, whether arthritis manifested within one year of service, or is otherwise related to his active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- right and left foot plantar fasciitis, heel spurs
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20032873
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 20032873.
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 has determined that the Veteran's initial claims for service connection were not properly considered and remanded to obtain a full copy of her service treatment records. The Veteran was also scheduled for an examination to determine if she had any current bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral flat feet (also claimed as heel spurs) is being readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence presented since the December 2019 rating decision. The Board has determined that this matter should be remanded so that the AOJ can consider all available evidence in deciding whether service connection should be granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heel spurs, toe spur, pes cavus, and plantar fasciitis is remanded due to the AOJ not obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.
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