The Board found that there are no residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot and that any current symptoms are due to nonservice-connected foot disorders. Therefore, the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected gunshot wound to the left foot is denied.
The deciding factor: There were no findings of a gunshot wound to the left foot in the medical records, and the current symptoms are attributed to nonservice-connected conditions rather than the service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound to the left foot, hallux valgus deformity, hammer toes, second degree pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2004
- Citation
- 0407863
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 0407863.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for pes planus with hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, and hammer toes as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a noncompensable rating for hammer toes, a 10 percent rating for right foot arthritis, and temporary total evaluations for surgery associated with the service-connected conditions. The higher initial disability rating for hallux valgus and hallux rigidus was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for bilateral plantar warts but denied a higher rating for PTSD. The claims for service connection for right maxillary neurofibroma, COPD, and hammer toes were reopened.
- Partly granted
The appeal for an increased rating was denied, but the effective date for TDIU was granted as January 2, 2016.
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