The Veteran's left elbow fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional loss and pain.,Service connection is granted for pes planus as it began during active service and was aggravated beyond its natural progression.,Service connection is denied for glaucoma as there is no evidence of visual impairment or incapacitating episodes related to the in-service eye trauma.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim for service connection for pulmonary hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further review.,The right corneal scar does not cause any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, thus no increased rating is warranted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left elbow condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes due to functional loss and pain. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects his disability level.,Service connection was granted based on evidence showing that pes planus began during active service and was aggravated beyond its natural progression.,The Veteran's glaucoma is not related to in-service eye trauma, as evidenced by the absence of visual impairment or incapacitating episodes. The corneal scar does not cause any visual impairment.,New evidence has been received that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for pulmonary hypertension. The claim will be remanded for further review.,The right corneal scar does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as it does not cause any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow fracture residuals, pes planus, glaucoma, pulmonary hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20054620
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 20054620.
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is remanded due to the AOJ's failure to address whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the program. The Board finds that the Veteran has been in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months based on an inability to perform the ADL of bathing.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, finding that her current condition had its onset during active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence. The Board is unable to determine if there was a factual increase in disability prior to the effective dates requested, or if service connection should be granted based on the current evidence.
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.