The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for a left foot disability, but granted extraschedular ratings of 10 percent for hammer toes on both the left and right feet.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that the Veteran incurred an additional disability or worsening of a pre-existing condition due to the May 2010 bunionectomy. The Board found that the symptoms of weakness, difficulty with balance, and altered gait were not contemplated by the rating criteria for hammertoes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left foot disability, Right foot hammer toes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19160106
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 19160106.
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
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- Partly granted
The Board granted the readjudication of claims for service connection based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded other claims for further examination.
- Granted
The Board granted an August 14, 2009 effective date for the assignment of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).
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