The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and esophageal stricture and a hiatal hernia, do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: VA examinations confirmed the diagnoses of gastroesophageal reflux and hallux valgus, but did not suggest that these diseases alone precluded the veteran from finding and maintaining employment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, esophageal stricture and a hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- June 28, 2001
- Citation
- 0117297
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0117297.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding direct service connection for right great toe amputation, as well as whether any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his amputation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right great toe amputation and its relation to his service-connected foot disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus is granted a 30 percent rating, but no more. The lumbar spine disorder is denied service connection as not proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral foot disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his bilateral foot disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability.
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