The Veteran's left foot condition is not service-connected, but a separate rating of 30 percent for the service-connected left knee disability on the basis of instability or recurrent subluxation is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that there was severe instability in the left knee, warranting a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Foot Hammer Toes, Left Foot Hallux Valgus Deformity, Left Foot Callouses, Left Foot Overlapping Toes, Left Foot Bunions
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2009
- Citation
- 0916017
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 0916017.
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 TDIU claim is granted for the periods from January 9, 2013 to January 13, 2020, and from May 15, 2020. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for right shoulder, left foot hammer toes, and right foot hammer toes were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran’s service connection claims for PTSD, a back disability, cause of death, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are remanded.,The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for his right shoulder was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability is granted. Service connection for a left foot disability, secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, is also granted. The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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.