The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral foot disorders. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to the appellant's military service.
The deciding factor: A VHA medical expert concluded that the appellant's hallux valgus (bunions), hammertoes, paronychia, ingrown toenails and peripheral neuropathy were most likely caused by the wearing of poorly fitting boots in the Army. The reviewer also noted a possible connection to exposure to cold temperatures while in Korea.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus (bunions), hammertoes, paronychia, ingrown toenails, peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2003
- Citation
- 0317132
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 0317132.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a bilateral foot disability to obtain further development, including adequate VA examinations and opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a higher or compensable rating for any of the conditions on appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a skin disorder of the genital region, and a right knee disability. The claim for sleep apnea was remanded.
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