The Board found that the Veteran's current foot issues, including pes cavus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, and hallux valgus, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing pes cavus was determined to have been aggravated during service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's pes cavus did not increase in severity during service, and the Board agreed with this assessment based on the lack of evidence showing treatment for foot problems at separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pes cavus, Metatarsalgia, Hammertoes, Hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1722158
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 1722158.
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 bilateral pes cavus, Raynaud's phenomenon, and right lung lower lobe granuloma are not rated higher than the current noncompensable ratings. The claim for migraines has been dismissed.,The Veteran's service-connected right lung lower lobe granuloma remains at a noncompensable rating. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and left knee strain have been remanded.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted, but the Veteran's other claims remain pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, stomach infection and ulcers as secondary to hepatitis C, and service connection for feet disabilities are being remanded due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining relevant medical records.
- 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 Veteran's TDIU was based on multiple service-connected disabilities, and he does not meet the legal criteria for payment of compensation at the housebound rate under the regulations due to his service-connected conditions.
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.