The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot disability. The Board also found that the current traumatic arthritis of the left foot fifth metatarsal, post-operative is related to active service and more likely than not preexisted service but was aggravated by it.
The deciding factor: The evidence established a current diagnosis of traumatic arthritis of the left foot fifth metatarsal, post-operative. The Veteran's STRs showed that he had an accidental gunshot wound to his left foot prior to entering service, which resulted in surgery and subsequent chronic pain. The Board found that the condition preexisted service but was aggravated by it.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the left foot fifth metatarsal, post-operative
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1817604
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 1817604.
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
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