The Veteran's below-the-knee amputation of the right leg was not caused by VA treatment, and there is no evidence of fault on VA's part.
The deciding factor: VA treatment did not result in additional disability; the proximate cause of the disability was the Veteran's refusal to use offloading shoes and prosthesis, which led to an open wound progressing into osteomyelitis.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetic ulcer, osteomyelitis of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2014
- Citation
- 1404012
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 1404012.
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: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic ulcer, and diabetic edema to service. The Veteran's assertions about symptoms in service are considered, but a VA examination is needed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's death to his service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.
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