The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hallux valgus were denied by the Board, as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on current symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus did not result in severe symptoms or require surgical resection of the metatarsal head, which are necessary to warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hallux Valgus, Left Hallux Valgus (status-post Austin bunionectomy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2015
- Citation
- 1505489
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1505489.
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 Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to support these claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his right hallux valgus and lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already receiving the maximum rating allowed under current criteria, and a higher rating is not available. For the lumbosacral strain issue, the Board determined there were insufficient examination findings to determine the severity of the disability and thus remanded for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU effective November 8, 2019.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted higher ratings for several conditions, including PTSD, right hip disability, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, BPH, right elbow disability, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran is now eligible for attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in the August 2014 Board decision.
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