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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1009731.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for major depression, personality disorder, and severe anxiety due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation of a preexisting disability, but denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities.
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