The Veteran's flat feet disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis (flat feet), is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The examiner noted that the in-service training did not cause or aggravate her current back condition.,The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected based on in-service incidents.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right arm disability (including elbow and wrist disabilities) is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: Service connection granted as the flat feet preexisting condition was aggravated by service training, leading to the development of plantar fasciitis. The examiner noted that there was no evidence of chronicity of care in service and the Veteran's first complaints were post-service.,The back disability is not considered caused or aggravated by service due to lack of specific injury documented in service records and absence of chronicity of care. The examiner opined that the Veteran's back symptoms are more likely related to abnormal stretching or tearing of muscle fibers, unrelated to her flat feet.,Service connection granted as depression was linked to in-service incidents.,Service connection granted as left knee disability is linked to an in-service injury.,Service connection granted as cervical spine disability is linked to in-service injuries.,Service connection granted as right shoulder disability is linked to in-service injuries.,Remanded for further evaluation due to lack of specific evidence linking the right arm disability (including elbow and wrist disabilities) to service.,Remanded for further evaluation due to lack of specific evidence linking the right ankle disability to service.,Remanded for further evaluation due to lack of specific evidence linking the left ankle disability to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Flat Feet, Back Disability, Depression, Left Knee Disability, Cervical Spine Disability, Right Shoulder Disability, Right Arm Disability, Right Ankle Disability, Left Ankle Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2024
- Citation
- 24006049
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 24006049.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date of June 19, 2002.
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.