The Board has granted service connection for left ankle joint derangement/instability, bilateral hallux valgus (left and right feet), and bilateral gout. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.
The deciding factor: Reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle joint derangement/instability, bilateral hallux valgus (left foot bunion, right foot bunion), left foot gout, right foot gout
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20000453
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for right foot gout, finding a link between the Veteran's in-service toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune and his current condition.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left foot gout to correct duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot gout, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating.
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