The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability of the left leg independent and distinct from her service-connected low back condition. The initial evaluations for hallux valgus, postoperative, right foot and left foot are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The initial evaluation for retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The initial evaluation for total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy due to uterine fibroids (previously evaluated as uterine fibroids) has been granted and remains at a 30 percent evaluation from December 1, 1996 through November 14, 1997. The veteran's condition is now rated as 50 percent disabling from March 1, 1998.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the grant of higher evaluations for any of the conditions listed in the decision.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus of the left foot, hallux valgus of the right foot, left leg condition, retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy due to uterine fibroids (previously evaluated as uterine fibroids)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2004
- Citation
- 0405142
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,515 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0405142.
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 Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions. The Board has remanded several of these claims due to new evidence received after the September 2023 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right leg, left leg, left knee, and left ankle conditions due to errors in prior decisions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pinched nerve condition, left leg condition, and bilateral knee condition. These claims are remanded for further adjudication by the AOJ.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of sufficient evidence and an error in decision-making. The Veteran's left big toe condition, including pain causing functional impairment, is being evaluated further.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.