The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and for separate ratings for his right and left heel spurs. The claim for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs was also denied.
The deciding factor: There is no competent evidence of record showing that the Veteran has a current right ankle disability, and the Board found insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection or separate ratings for his heel spurs. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a currently diagnosed chronic right ankle disability and thus it was less likely than not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle condition, Bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20045327
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20045327.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU. The issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn by the appellant.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted a 10 percent disability rating, and his service-connected headaches are granted as secondary to his TBI.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted, but his bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service, as well as the ameliorative effects of medication on his left shoulder disability. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to address these issues.
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