The Board denied service connection for right hallux valgus and cervical spine disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty or any service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the current degenerative changes of the cervical spine were not related to in-service head injuries, and there was no evidence of right foot hallux valgus during service or within a year of discharge. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus of the right foot, degenerative changes of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0907142
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, right wrist sprain, left wrist disability manifested by pain, left foot arthritis, right foot arthritis and hallux valgus, headaches, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, degenerative changes of the cervical spine, right lateral epicondylitis (claimed as right arm disability), and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (claimed as left arm disability and left elbow disability).
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for hallux valgus of the right and left foot, effective November 30, 2004. The claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hallux valgus of the right foot as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fascia release. The claims for increased ratings for painful surgical scar, left ankle s/p tarsal tunnel and partial plantar fascia release, and bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fascia release were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hallux valgus of the left and right foot, hammer toes on the right foot, and bilateral great toe arthritis, all secondary to the service-connected porokeratosis with intractable plantar keratosis. The increased rating period for the service-connected left foot porokeratosis was denied.
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.