The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hallux valgus, as well as service connection for multiple joint arthritis (including lumbar spine), were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the hallux valgus disabilities or establish service connection for the multiple joint arthritis.
The deciding factor: The medical records do not show any chronicity of the hallux valgus or arthritis within one year after discharge from service, and there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service. The Board concluded that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Hallux Valgus, Multiple Joint Arthritis (including lumbar spine), Right Hallux Valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2006
- Citation
- 0609453
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,325 · Granted: 31% (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 0609453.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to support these claims.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his right hallux valgus and lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already receiving the maximum rating allowed under current criteria, and a higher rating is not available. For the lumbosacral strain issue, the Board determined there were insufficient examination findings to determine the severity of the disability and thus remanded for further evaluation.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU effective November 8, 2019.
- Granted
The Board granted higher ratings for several conditions, including PTSD, right hip disability, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, BPH, right elbow disability, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran is now eligible for attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in the August 2014 Board decision.
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