The Board denied entitlement to a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left and right heel spurs, finding that their manifestations are adequately encompassed by his disability ratings for bilateral pes planus.
The deciding factor: The VA-contracted examination confirmed the presence of bilateral heel spurs but found no additional impairment warranting a separate compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left heel spur, Right heel spur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21010357
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 21010357.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, and the acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further evaluation. The left heel spur claim is also remanded to determine if bilateral plantar fasciitis or other foot disorders are related to the service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a right shoulder disability (major condition), and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for left heel spur, left foot disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. A claim for a right foot disability was remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU for PTSD is granted, and he also receives SMC Housebound based on his combined disability rating of 100 percent.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims of service connection for a headache condition, left ankle condition, left heel spur, pes planus, and right heel spur were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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.