The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral metatarsalgia of the feet and residuals of a healed fracture of the left hand were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran's disabilities had improved since his last examinations, with no new symptoms or limitations noted. The current levels of disability did not warrant increased ratings based on the severity and nature of his foot and hand conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Metatarsalgia of the right foot, Metatarsalgia of the left foot, Healed fracture of the left third metacarpal neck
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2014
- Citation
- 1429440
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 1429440.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral metatarsalgia due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and right foot disability are not related to service or his service-connected disabilities, thus denying both claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 5284. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a chronic stomach disorder, found no basis to grant an increased rating for metatarsalgia of the right foot, and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction.
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