The Board has found deficiencies in the November 2017 VA opinions addressing the Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain and knee strain. The opinions are based on the absence of an in-service diagnosis, which may not serve as a basis for a negative opinion. The examiner ignored the Veteran's statements describing the onset of shoulder and knee pain during service.
The deciding factor: The absence of an in-service diagnosis alone is insufficient to determine that the current condition is not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Dental Disorder, Plantar Fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23064757
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 23064757.
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: Dismissed
The appeal of the PTSD with cannabis use disorder, mild issue is dismissed. The initial rating for plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence in the file on which to decide these claims. The appellant's VA treatment records contain diagnoses of GAD and OSA, and he reported symptoms related to his disabilities during service. A new examination and opinion are required to determine if the acquired psychiatric disorder is associated with service, as well as for OSA and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran requested to withdraw the claim for service connection of a dental disorder, and the appeal is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 50 percent for plantar fasciitis was denied. The effective date remains November 30, 2023, as it is based on the date he submitted his intent to file a claim.
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