The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for the left great toe disorder from 20% to 10% was proper. The veteran's gouty arthritis is not productive of definite impairment warranting a higher rating, and his hallux valgus of the right great toe does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The RO committed clear and unmistakable error in combining the disability ratings for limitation of motion and ankylosis with gouty arthritis under Diagnostic Code 5002, leading to the reduction from 20% to 10%. The veteran's gouty arthritis does not meet criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Great Toe Disability, Gouty Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 12, 2007
- Citation
- 0707176
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 0707176.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left great toe disabilities are rated at a 10 percent level each, effective from the date of this decision.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left great toe disability began during service and is related to an in-service injury, granting service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and gouty arthritis caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his secondary disability of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The Board found that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions caused or aggravated his OSA.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left great toe disability is denied as the symptoms do not more closely approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating.
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.