The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and a respiratory disorder, finding no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided clear conclusions with supporting data, indicating that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to service and his respiratory disorder is not linked to service exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disabilities (hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease of the first MTP joints), respiratory disorder (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1545748
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 1545748.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder (atrial fibrillation), and respiratory disorder (COPD). The claims are being remanded due to the need for these opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for somatic symptom disorder, respiratory disorders (including COPD), nephrolithiasis, deviated nasal septum, and higher initial disability ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and GERD, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for dementia, essential tremors, COPD, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities but denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for glaucoma.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders due to inadequate VA opinions.
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.