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Whole decision: Denied

The veteran's right foot disability, including amputation of the second toe and deformities, is currently rated at 40 percent. The claim for an increased rating has been denied as his condition does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected right foot disability, characterized by amputation of the second toe and other deformities, is already rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5284 (severe impairment) for severe malunion or nonunion of the metatarsal bones. The additional conditions do not warrant a higher rating.

Claimed conditions
Right foot injury resulting in amputation of the second toe, chronic pain and achiness, deformity including shortened great toe with lateral deviation, clawed phalangeal segments, callus over the second metatarsal head, flexed and dorsiflexed great toe at the metatarsal phalangeal articulation, old nonunited fracture of the first metatarsal bone, and deformity in the shaft of the head of the second metatarsal
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
December 4, 2002
Citation
0217485

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 0217485.

What this means for you

A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.

What you can do next

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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