The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS and a 50 percent rating for the right foot pes planus with right 5th tarsometatarsal joint arthritis combined with left foot plantar fasciitis from December 10, 2016.
The deciding factor: The overall disability picture of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS more nearly approximated favorable ankylosis (or functional equivalent thereof) of the entire thoracolumbar spine when considering functional loss due to flare-ups and with repetitive use over time. The evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the right foot pes planus with right 5th tarsometatarsal joint arthritis and left foot plantar fasciitis manifested in pronounced symptoms bilaterally, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left ankle arthritis with instability, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot pes planus with right 5th tarsometatarsal joint arthritis, right tibiotalar arthritis of the right ankle and flexior hallucis longus tenosynovitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25035441
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 899 · Granted: 45% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25035441.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 claims for increased rating and service connection must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% and cannot be increased.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted from January 11, 2021 due to multiple service-connected disabilities.,A TDIU rating effective October 28, 2011 is granted based on inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to migraine headaches.,Eligibility for DEA benefits is granted but no earlier than the date of claim (April 5, 1999).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and remanded the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and migraines secondary to insomnia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis and his service. The Veteran is asked to undergo a VA examination to determine if there is any link between his current condition and his military service.
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