The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot first metatarsal condition, including osteoarthritis, hallux rigidis limitus, and hallux valgus, was not incurred during service or due to a service-connected right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The in-service records are silent for any complaints or treatment related to the Veteran's right foot condition, including mild pes planus noted in 1988. The VA examiner concluded that there is no evidence linking the current right foot condition to service, particularly not to the mild pes planus diagnosed in 1988.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot first metatarsal condition (including osteoarthritis, hallux rigidis limitus, and hallux valgus), right knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19102358
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability but denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee disability prior to April 25, 2019.
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