The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's right foot disability, diagnosed as recurrent neuromas of the right foot, status post surgical excisions, and status post bunionectomy, initially manifested in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active military service.
The deciding factor: The July 2011 VA examination report indicates that the examiner reviewed the Veteran's service and post-service medical records, conducted an examination of the Veteran, and offered a medical opinion based on the examination of the Veteran. The examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current foot condition was related to the May 1981 foot injury.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1637620
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 1637620.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, but his service-connected persistent depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted SMC at the housebound rate.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including neck, back, left foot, left knee, right knee, right foot, and right shoulder disabilities. The Board found insufficient evidence to support presumptive or secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right foot disabilities, finding that these conditions were aggravated by service.
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