The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and osteoarthritis, are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for these conditions as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are rated based on their underlying conditions (post-traumatic arthritis and acquired flatfoot) rather than specific service-connected conditions. The criteria for a higher rating under the current diagnostic codes do not meet the severity of his symptoms, which were found to be moderate by VA examiners.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis, Calcaneal Spurs, Osteoarthritis of the Feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23060757
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 23060757.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder and cervical pain but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted ratings of 10 percent or 20 percent for several conditions from specific dates.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and multiple musculoskeletal conditions but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) exclusively due to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status from August 31, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent disability evaluation for allergic rhinitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis, as it was not factually ascertainable that a worsening in these conditions occurred within one year of the December 26, 2023 intent to file.
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