The Veteran's right foot hammer toes were considered a manifestation of her bilateral foot hallux valgus, which was granted service connection in March 1977. The appeal for an earlier effective date is dismissed as moot.
The deciding factor: The AOJ determined that the Veteran’s right foot hammer toes (including second and third digits) were manifestations of her bilateral foot hallux valgus, which had already been granted service connection in a previous rating decision.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot hammer toes, bilateral foot hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20033393
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 20033393.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the November 19, 2021 rating decision denying service connection for various conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations for sleep apnea, headache disability, right foot hammer toes, and left foot hammer toes have been dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and tenosynovitis, left foot hammer toes, and right foot hammer toes has been granted. A 50 percent rating is assigned for the period from October 30, 2023, and a 10 percent rating is assigned for each of the left and right feet.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right median nerve and carpal tunnel syndrome was granted with a 30 percent rating effective August 8, 2023. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.
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.