The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 30 percent for bilateral hallux valgus prior to September 23, 2002. The decision found that all of his foot-related symptoms are part and parcel of his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus.
The deciding factor: The VA compensation examiner could not clinically differentiate the signs and symptoms attributable to the bilateral hallux valgus from those attributable to other diagnosed conditions, including pes planus, talonavicular osteoarthritis, tight heel cord, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia. The interaction between these conditions made it impossible to separate their effects on the Veteran's foot function.
- Claimed conditions
- Hallux Valgus of the right foot, Hallux Valgus of the left foot, Pes Planus, Talonavicular Osteoarthritis, Tight Heel Cord, Plantar Fasciitis, Metatarsalgia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2010
- Citation
- 1048360
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 1048360.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied as the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal of the PTSD with cannabis use disorder, mild issue is dismissed. The initial rating for plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available for unilateral pes planus.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence in the file on which to decide these claims. The appellant's VA treatment records contain diagnoses of GAD and OSA, and he reported symptoms related to his disabilities during service. A new examination and opinion are required to determine if the acquired psychiatric disorder is associated with service, as well as for OSA and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis.
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