The Veteran's deviated septum nasal passage is not related to service, and the appeal for this issue is remanded.,The Veteran's right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and ACL joint arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants further examination as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the deviated septum nasal passage began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran has not provided credible medical evidence linking his current condition to military service.,While the Veteran's right shoulder disability causes functional impairment, the range of motion testing shows flexion and abduction limited to 135 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Veteran has not provided additional evidence showing more severe symptoms or limitations that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as severe based on objective evidence of marked deformity and swelling, but further examination is needed to determine if the condition warrants a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Deviated septum nasal passage, Right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular (ACL) joint arthritis, Bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23066801
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 23066801.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is not service-connected due to a duty-to-assist error, and remands the case for further examination and opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated by service, warranting a grant of service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for acquired flatfoot. The appeal is denied.
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