The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, mechanical dyspepsia, and testicular torsion with residual orchialgia were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent due to flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, without ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran had unfavorable ankylosis in the entire spine, entire thoracolumbar spine, or entire cervical spine. The Veteran also did not experience incapacitating episodes for a total duration of at least four weeks during the last 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, mechanical dyspepsia, testicular torsion with residual orchialgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20043400
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 20043400.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected back and sciatica disabilities. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.
- Dismissed
The appeals regarding the evaluation of bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of fractures of the second, fourth, and fifth left toes, as well as the evaluation of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with loss of use, are dismissed as untimely.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus condition was aggravated by service. The effective date is August 15, 2025.
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