The Board denied service connection for bilateral hallux valgus with bunions and residuals of right ankle sprain, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions clearly and unmistakably did not worsen during his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations found no clear and unmistakable evidence to support aggravation of the preexisting bilateral hallux valgus and right ankle disorders by service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hallux valgus with bunions, residuals of right ankle sprain
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19181784
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a compensable rating are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the November 2018 VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups, and the degree of functional loss during flare-ups with respect to the Veteran's right ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial ratings for depressive disorder, lumbar disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hallux valgus with bunions have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, gastrointestinal issues, and migraines.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for meralgia paresthesias, gout, and residuals of right ankle sprain were dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was remanded. Appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and degenerative joint disease remain in appellate status.
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