The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her service-connected bilateral degenerative joint disease of both feet, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent assigned.
The deciding factor: The examination findings were essentially negative and did not support a finding of severe impairment in either foot.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral degenerative joint disease, right foot surgery, left foot surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0510943
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 0510943.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's left foot surgery on November 2, 2018 necessitated a period of convalescence from November 2, 2018, which continued for at least three months.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for right foot surgery as secondary to a service-connected condition, due to an alleged duty-to-assist error by the AOJ.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence for left foot surgery beyond September 30, 2022. The decision was based on the lack of severe postoperative residuals or immobilization by cast.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral heel spurs, bilateral degenerative joint disease, and right plantar fasciitis. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.
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