The veteran's bilateral foot condition, primarily manifested by severe bunions and arthritic changes, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that while there are significant functional impairments due to pain and arthritis, the veteran's condition does not meet the specific criteria required for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 5278 (acquired pes cavus or 'claw foot').
- Claimed conditions
- bunions, arthritic changes, small metal foreign bodies retained in each hindfoot, limitation of motion in great toes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2007
- Citation
- 0733851
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 0733851.
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: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for a disorder manifested by right knee pain and arthritic changes, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to an incomplete set of the Veteran's service treatment records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence.
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