The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to his incarceration in February 2013. The Veteran was previously service-connected for right tarsal tunnel syndrome, mood disorder associated with it, and other conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that while the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to February 2013, the evidence is unclear as to whether his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during this period.
- Claimed conditions
- right tarsal tunnel syndrome, mood disorder associated with right tarsal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21001315
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 21001315.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 Veteran's service-connected right and left tarsal tunnel syndrome have been assigned a combined 60 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for both feet under the amputation rule. The Veteran cannot be granted increased evaluations for these disabilities as they are not manifested by functional impairment such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation with prosthesis.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a separate compensable evaluation of 20 percent for right tarsal tunnel syndrome affecting the anterior crural (femoral) nerve and a separate compensable evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis, while denying increased evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left tarsal tunnel syndrome.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, except for a 20% rating from July 28, 2011 for left and right tarsal tunnel syndrome.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left tarsal tunnel syndrome based on the Veteran's credible lay statements of ongoing symptoms since service.
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