The Veteran's claims of service connection for mashed feet, right hand tendon laceration, pancreatitis, and degenerative disc disease of the low back were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that there was insufficient evidence to link the current foot disability (DJD) to the Veteran's in-service injury during combat in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Right Foot, Mashed Feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0917480
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 0917480.
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: Granted
The Veteran's right foot DJD is found to have resulted from an in-service injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot DJD is related to his service-connected right ankle disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection for his other diagnosed bilateral foot conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 8, 2007. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current right foot, hip, or knee conditions to his period of active service. The claims for residuals of a fracture and DJD of the right leg, right hip, and right knee have been denied.
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