The Veteran's bilateral heel disabilities were denied for initial ratings in excess of the currently assigned 10% and 20% ratings prior to October 30, 2019 and since that date respectively.
The deciding factor: The disability evaluations are based on average impairment of earning capacity with consideration given to pain, weakness, fatigue, and lack of endurance. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be moderate or moderately severe without additional functional loss due to flare-ups, pain, or other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- left heel, right heel
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20047319
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 20047319.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a left foot and left heel disability, finding that the current conditions are not related to in-service events or injuries.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right heel, left heel, right elbow, neck, right shoulder, and back disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection for right heel, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and respiratory disorder need further development to ensure all relevant evidence is considered.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new VA treatment notes and an examination report. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected left ankle disability and any current left foot disorders.
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