The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral metatarsalgia was denied. The Board found that the current evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5279 is already at its maximum, and no higher ratings are warranted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's metatarsalgia has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5279, which covers unilateral or bilateral anterior metatarsalgia (Morton’s disease). The current evaluation is the highest possible under this code, and no higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral metatarsalgia, calluses of the feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19102484
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 bilateral metatarsalgia as there is no evidence of a current disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral metatarsalgia as further development is required.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of November 17, 2019, for service connection for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain but remanded the other issues.
- Partly granted
The Board granted separate noncompensable ratings for bilateral pes planus, bilateral metatarsalgia, bilateral ganglion cysts, and left foot painful calluses as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bunionectomy residuals. The claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot bunionectomy residuals were denied.
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