The Veteran's claims for service connection for metatarsalgia with painful corn/callous and hammer toes of the left foot were denied as there was no unadjudicated applications, NODs or new and material evidence submitted between when the January 1996 Board decision became final in July 1996 and the Veteran's January 30, 2015 informal petition to reopen. The effective date for award of compensation based on a reopened claim for service connection will be on the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were no unadjudicated applications for service connection, unaddressed NODs, or new and material evidence submitted between when the January 1996 Board decision became final in July 1996 and the Veteran's January 30, 2015 informal petition to reopen.
- Claimed conditions
- metatarsalgia with painful corn/callous, hammer toes of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20025858
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 20025858.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's hammer toes of the left foot and right foot are not rated higher than the current rating, and his scars of both feet do not warrant a compensable disability rating.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings, dismissing all issues.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in January 2025, stating that his feet are much better since he had surgeries and do not want to continue the claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and potential TERA exposure. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which require additional examination.
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