The Veteran's right foot hallux rigidus and degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsal phalanx are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating granted for either condition.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports a separate evaluation of 10 percent under DC 5284 for moderate impairment due to right foot injury, while the hallux rigidus is already rated as severe (10%) and equivalent to amputation of the toe.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux rigidus, degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19192299
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,592 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19192299.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the preexistence and aggravation of foot disabilities during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an internal inconsistency in a June 2022 examination report, which inadequately addressed the Veteran's left foot condition. The Veteran needs to be examined again to assess his functional loss during flare-ups and with repetitive use over time.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hallux limitus, left foot post cheilectomy first metatarsophalangeal joint claimed as left foot, big toe degenerative arthritis and left foot, big toe disability. The evidence shows the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and arthritis. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was aggravated by his military service.
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