Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that either left or right foot hammertoes are attributable to the veteran's service-connected onychomycosis.

The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence, physiological, or medical relationship between the condition of the bilateral toenail infection (onychomycosis) and the development of the right foot hammertoes. The most logical explanation for the development of hammertoes on the right side is the veteran's instability of the right knee causing problems with balance and ambulation in the right leg.

Claimed conditions
hammertoes of left foot, hammertoes of right foot
How they argued it
Secondary to another service-connected condition
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
November 5, 2008
Citation
0838133

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 0838133.

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.