The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for hammer toes of the bilateral foot was denied, while he was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5276 as there were no indications of severe pronation or marked inward displacement that would warrant such a rating. The Veteran's hammer toes and bunion do not present an exceptional disability picture.
- Claimed conditions
- hammer toes of the second and third digits of the bilateral foot, left foot bunion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19125251
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,170 · Granted: 38% (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 19125251.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot bunion is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck disability, left foot bunion, right foot bunion, right hip disability, and right shoulder disability as further development is needed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right foot bunions to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing and to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
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