The Board denied higher initial ratings for posterior tibial tendinitis of each ankle and remanded claims for service connection for aggravation of existing bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, including as due to a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support findings of marked limitation of motion in either ankle, which would have warranted higher ratings. The Board also found that the medical opinions provided were inadequate for determining whether there was aggravation of pre-existing pes planus by plantar fasciitis or vice versa.
- Claimed conditions
- Posterior tibial tendinitis, left ankle, Posterior tibial tendinitis, right ankle, Bilateral pes planus, Bilateral plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25041037
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.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include alcohol use disorder, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and PTSD was granted. Other claims for various conditions were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right foot disability, including consideration of bilateral pes planus.
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