The Veteran's bilateral hammer toe disorders are rated as 10% each, and her gout of the left foot is also rated at 10%. The RO assigned initial noncompensable evaluations for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that all toes of both feet are affected by hammer toes, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5282. For gout, the Veteran's uric acid level was normal, so it is rated as rheumatoid arthritis with a noncompensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-operative residuals of hammer toes of the right foot, Post-operative residuals of hammer toes of the left foot, Gout of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0941532
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 0941532.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence, as there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right elbow disability is granted a 10% rating effective October 1, 2009. The Veteran's left foot gout is denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were all denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claims of TB tine test residuals and tinnitus, and granted service connection for these conditions.,Service connection was also granted for gout of both feet and an eye disability other than hypertensive retinopathy.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.