The Veteran's appeal for an increase in her rating for a left foot disability, which is rated as metatarsalgia and painful scar associated with metatarsalgia, has been denied. The maximum allowed rating of 10% is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5279.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left foot disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot metatarsalgia, painful scar associated with metatarsalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19176364
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,319 · Granted: 25% (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 19176364.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection and increased ratings for PTSD, sleep apnea, right knee disability, limitation of left knee extension, limitation of left knee flexion, and left shoulder disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lower back disability and left foot metatarsalgia, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her active duty service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service injury or aggravation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for disability evaluations and service connection due to improper claims processing. The cellulitis claim is remanded as a medical examination was not conducted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.