The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disorder, finding that her hammer toes and Morton's neuroma pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. The examiner noted no complaints of pain or other symptoms related to these conditions during service.
The deciding factor: There was clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing hammer toes did not increase in severity during service, and there is no objective medical evidence supporting aggravation beyond natural progression.
- Claimed conditions
- hammer toes, Morton's neuroma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1742600
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 1742600.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires additional development, including an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the preexistence and aggravation of foot disabilities during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining an addendum or supplemental medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, specifically his pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hammer toes.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet, hammer toes, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and hallux valgus, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition aggravated by military service. The Board also found that the current disabilities were not related to service.
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