The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his bilateral flatfoot with hallux valgus, finding that the disability did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. The veteran was granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for right and left hallux valgus.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show marked pronation or inward displacement as required for a higher 50% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5276, but the criteria for flatfoot do not include the same manifestations as hallux valgus. The veteran's bilateral flatfoot disability was rated at 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral flatfoot, hallux valgus of the right great toe, hallux valgus of the left great toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2003
- Citation
- 0305216
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,458 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0305216.
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.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for a skin condition, traumatic brain injury, a respiratory disability, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral flatfoot.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic back pain, bilateral flatfoot, and hypertension as these conditions are found to have onset in service and continued since separation from service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot and osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for alopecia and bilateral flatfoot as secondary to service-connected conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence.
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