The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his left great toe disability and left foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to January 31, 1997, or a separate compensable evaluation for surgical scarring. The appellant's service-connected disabilities were found not to combine to prevent substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show severe malunion or nonunion of the metatarsal bones or a severe foot injury that would warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to January 31, 1997. The appellant's service-connected disabilities were found not to combine to prevent substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Great Toe Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 5, 2005
- Citation
- 0518263
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0518263.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left great toe fracture has been rated as 10 percent disabling since November 5, 2012. The rating is based on the current functional impairment of the left great toe.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his low back and left toe disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, were denied by the Board.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and the claim for residuals of a left great toe fracture, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed stressors or injuries.
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