The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disability of the right hand, and for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, major depression, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left ankle disabilities were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current neurological disability of the right hand, and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating or increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, major depression, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left ankle disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no competent medical evidence to support a current neurological disability of the right hand. The Veteran's service records did not show any complaints or treatment related to this condition. For his bilateral pes planus, major depression, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left ankle disabilities, the Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met as there was no evidence of marked deformity, swelling, or other symptoms indicative of a more severe disability.
- Claimed conditions
- neurological disability of the right hand, bilateral pes planus, major depression, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with internal derangement, left knee patellofemoral syndrome with internal derangement, chronic right ankle sprain, chronic left ankle sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2010
- Citation
- 1009731
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1009731.
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).
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- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral pes planus, PTSD, and anxiety were all denied as service connection was not established based on the evidence of record.,Bilateral pes planus was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.
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