The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right foot hammer toes, left foot hammer toes, and back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher initial ratings for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had hammer toe deformities of both feet and a back disability with flexion ranging from 80 degrees to 90 degrees, but no IVDS episodes or muscle spasms. The Board determined that none of the criteria for higher ratings were met under the applicable rating schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Right foot hammer toes, Left foot hammer toes, Back disability (vertebral body fracture of L3 with degenerative changes)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18120084
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18120084.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right foot hammer toe as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected post-operative bunionectomy/osteotomy of the right great toe with internal fixation. The claim for a compensable rating for left foot hammer toes was denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU, as the evidence did not support a higher schedular rating or entitlement to a TDIU.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for left and right foot hammer toes, denied a higher rating for PTSD, and denied a compensable rating for the left foot scar. The penile condition was remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right foot hammer toes and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that a compensable rating was not warranted.
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