The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle condition is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for posterior tibial tendonitis. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder) is denied, and the claim for increased rating for pes planus with bilateral fasciitis and hammertoes is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times but did not address all issues in a timely manner. The RO granted service connection for posterior tibial tendonitis, rendering the claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle condition moot. For the acquired psychiatric disability, there was no verified in-service stressor and the VA examiner found no medical evidence linking the current diagnosis to service. For pes planus with bilateral fasciitis and hammertoes, the preponderance of the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Ankle Condition, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (Anxiety Disorder NOS), Pes Planus with Bilateral Fasciitis and Hammertoes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20042100
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 20042100.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, left elbow, and bilateral hand conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is required to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's bilateral foot, ankle, and knee conditions are inadequate due to a lack of STRs. The claims are being remanded for new VA medical examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, finding that there was no current disability and no in-service injury or disease related to his ankles.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral leg condition, low back condition, and bilateral ankle condition.
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.