The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg disorder and a left foot disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's current stasis dermatitis was not caused by his service but rather by poor circulation due to previous injuries. The left foot condition is believed to be related to an injury prior to entering service, exacerbated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral leg disorder, Left foot disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2004
- Citation
- 0406942
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 0406942.
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 remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral foot disorders and special monthly compensation (SMC) due to a need for aid and attendance or being housebound, as additional evidence is needed.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's left foot disorder was rated at 10 percent from July 21, 2023, to December 18, 2023, and a 20 percent rating was granted as of the earlier effective date of December 18, 2023.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbar disability, denied an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and denied an increased rating for left foot disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disorders, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right wrist disorder, and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
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