The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hammer toes and plantar fasciitis of both feet, as well as service connection for secondary ankle disability and lower extremity nerve disorder, were granted. The Veteran is now in receipt of a combined rating of 60 percent for the bilateral foot disabilities under the 'amputation rule' due to the maximum schedular ratings being assigned.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations provided sufficient information and a sound basis for granting increased ratings based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms, functional impairment, and medical evidence supporting these findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Hammer Toes, Plantar Fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1752438
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 1752438.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the PTSD with cannabis use disorder, mild issue is dismissed. The initial rating for plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence in the file on which to decide these claims. The appellant's VA treatment records contain diagnoses of GAD and OSA, and he reported symptoms related to his disabilities during service. A new examination and opinion are required to determine if the acquired psychiatric disorder is associated with service, as well as for OSA and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 50 percent for plantar fasciitis was denied. The effective date remains November 30, 2023, as it is based on the date he submitted his intent to file a claim.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back and right knee disabilities due to improper filing deadlines.
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