The Board found that the Veteran's current right foot degenerative joint disease with a calcaneal spur did not manifest in service and is not related to any event or incident of his active service from 1968 to 1971, including his documented in-service right foot / right ankle sprain. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disorder during the appeal period or within close proximity thereto, that is separate and distinct from the talonavicular joint with a calcaneal spur disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show continuity of symptomatology for arthritis after service, nor was there any medical opinion linking the Veteran's current right foot condition to his in-service injury or to any other incident of service. The Board found that the Veteran's current right foot disorder is more likely due to age and post-service running.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease in the talonavicular joint with a calcaneal spur (right foot), Right Foot Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 25, 2016
- Citation
- 1621156
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 1621156.
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 Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right and left feet conditions, which include arthritis, hallux valgus (bunions), and calluses. The ratings are effective from December 18, 2008.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of right foot arthritis prior to April 28, 2015 is granted. The effective date is set at October 29, 2009.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot disability, finding that his condition was due to a congenital defect and not related to active military service.
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