The Board denied service connection for right foot hallux valgus, finding that the pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during service.,Service connection was also denied for a right foot disability other than hallux valgus due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,HIV was found not to be related to service, with the Board considering the latency period and the Veteran's post-service sexual behavior.
The deciding factor: The pre-existing right foot hallux valgus did not increase in severity during service beyond its natural progression. The medical evidence showed no symptoms or treatment for this condition during service.,There was no evidence of a right foot disability other than hallux valgus during service, and the Board found that any current disability is unrelated to service.,The Veteran's HIV was not related to his military service due to the long latency period and post-service sexual behavior.
- Claimed conditions
- Right foot hallux valgus, Right foot disability other than hallux valgus, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19107794
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,200 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19107794.
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: Denied
The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, but further medical opinion is needed to determine if any of these conditions were related to his active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus was granted service connection effective July 17, 2019. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of his claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, which included a secondary claim for right foot hallux valgus.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the right foot hallux valgus condition should have been granted service connection in the first place, and thus the severance of service connection was improper. The Veteran's statements and medical opinions support a nexus to his military service.
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