Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's left and right foot conditions, specifically heel spurs with enthesophytes, were rated at 20 percent prior to June 28, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The Board denied the claims for increased ratings.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5015-5284 due to moderate to moderately severe pain and functional impairment without evidence of instability, malalignment, or loss of use of the foot.

Claimed conditions
Heel Spur with Enthesophyte, Left Foot, Heel Spur with Enthesophyte, Right Foot
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
November 10, 2020
Citation
20072442

Veterans Law Judge

MICHAEL MARTIN

Decisions by this judge: 2,188 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 20072442.

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.

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.