Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The veteran's claim for an increased rating on her service-connected bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus with bunions, deformed right talonavicular joint and displaced posterior tibial tendons, bilaterally is denied as the disability is already rated at its maximum.

The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability (specifically classified as bilateral pes planus) is currently rated at 50 percent under Diagnostic Code 5276. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization, and the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation are not met.

Claimed conditions
bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus with bunions, deformed right talonavicular joint, displaced posterior tibial tendons
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
50%
Decision date
July 17, 2006
Citation
0620739

Veterans Law Judge

DEBORAH W. SINGLETON

Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (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 0620739.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.