The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus deformity had an in-service onset and the Board finds service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran described the onset of bilateral hallux valgus deformity in service, which was confirmed by a private medical opinion. The March 2013 VA examiner's opinion that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability had an in-service onset was based on the lack of medical documentation between service discharge and the 1979 surgery, but this gap alone cannot form a valid basis for finding the testimony of in-service onset not credible.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hallux valgus deformity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2017
- Citation
- 1734664
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 1734664.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions, including bilateral foot pain / metatarsalgia, bilateral hallux valgus deformity, and right foot hammer toe (due to hallux valgus), finding a nexus between her in-service duties and current conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty about whether other foot conditions are related to service. The Veteran contends that her current foot disorders, including sprains and osteoarthritis, developed as a result of wearing boots and high heels in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to newly submitted VA treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear medical opinions and additional VA treatment records.
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