The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, C5-6, with right radiculopathy and an increased evaluation for hallux rigidus of the left great toe. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hallux rigidus of the right great toe was not addressed as it is not related to his period of honorable service.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service medical records did not show any complaints, findings or diagnoses related to degenerative disc disease, C5-6. The Board found that there was no evidence showing that hallux rigidus of the right great toe developed during his period of honorable service and denied the claim for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, C5-6, hallux rigidus of the right great toe, hallux rigidus of the left great toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2003
- Citation
- 0336733
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 0336733.
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 appeal for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering whether referral for extraschedular ratings is warranted. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for hallux rigidus of both great toes and a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hallux rigidus of the right great toe, is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected hallux rigidus of the right great toe, based on pain and loss of motion in his right first metatarsophalangeal joint.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hallux rigidus of the right great toe and established an effective date of April 15, 1987. The January 1990 rating decision was found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous in not including the veteran's right great toe disorders as part of his service-connected Reiter's syndrome.
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