The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus with osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his left foot hallux valgus with surgical scar (metatarsal head resection) warrants a separate noncompensable rating for hammer toe of the first digit overlapping great toe. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under other diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus is rated at 10 percent based on moderate symptoms and functional impairment, while his left foot hallux valgus with surgical scar (metatarsal head resection) warrants a separate noncompensable rating for hammer toe of the first digit overlapping great toe due to lack of severe or disabling symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis of the left foot, Hallux valgus/limitus of the left foot with surgical scar (metatarsal head resection), Hammer toe, first digit overlapping great toe of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 20, 2018
- Citation
- 1816989
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 1816989.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the feet, as it is related to a service-connected condition (cold injury).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right foot hammertoes and osteoarthritis of the great toe are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria. The Veteran's left foot conditions have not been granted service connection.,Service connection for a left foot disability (hallux rigidus, hallux valgus, heel tenderness, bunions, corns, and osteoarthritis) remains pending as the AOJ has yet to issue an SSOC addressing this claim.
- Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left foot. The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service, as evidenced by a June 2013 VA opinion. As such, the claim is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, osteoarthritis of the left foot and right foot, and painful scar, dorsal aspect of the left great toe have been granted increased evaluations.
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