The Veteran's service-connected ingrown toenail does not result in permanent loss of use of one or both lower extremities, and therefore he is not eligible for automobile and adaptive equipment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected ingrown toenail disability does not meet the criteria for permanent loss of use of one or both feet as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1516049
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 1516049.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C, lumbar DDD with strain, osteomyelitis, and loss of use of right foot disability rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. Effective October 28, 2008, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC under various provisions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and SMC for loss of use of the right foot are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for hepatic steatosis, loss of use of his feet and hands, vision disability, renal condition, immune system dysfunction, cardiovascular condition, and psychological disability. The AOJ is instructed to schedule examinations for these conditions and provide a rationale for their relationship to service or secondary to RA.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial rating for loss of use of the right foot with loss of the right heel pad, fixation of the right calcus, pes planus and hallux valgus is granted starting from April 29, 1995. The TDIU claim is remanded to consider extraschedular considerations.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.