The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his fractured right third metatarsal, and also denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left lower extremity disorder. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no residual of the service-connected fracture that could be ascertained, and concluded that the Veteran's only current symptom is hammer toe, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable code.
- Claimed conditions
- Fractured third metatarsal of the right foot, Hammer toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1625977
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 1625977.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, the right knee scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, and there was no evidence of left forearm or right forearm disorders. Service connection was denied for right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right foot disorders (flat foot, hallux valgus, hammer toe). Tinnitus was presumed to have been incurred in service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his 10 percent ratings for right and left foot hammer toes, finding that the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to July 3, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in this case is inadequate and remands the matter for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's left foot conditions are related to his service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the full nature of his right foot disability, including any associated neurological symptoms.
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.