The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral foot conditions and left leg condition have been denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find findings consistent with moderately severe or severe foot injuries, nor malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate knee or ankle disability for the left leg condition. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be more related to his spine issues rather than his feet specifically.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the left foot, Degenerative joint disease of the right foot, Medial tibial stress syndrome of the left leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20039032
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 20039032.
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 Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of both feet to obtain an adequate VA medical examination and opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The DIC benefits claim is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits. The cause of death claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the right foot, residuals of right wrist shrapnel wound, and right forearm shell fragment wound have been granted. The Veteran is also granted a temporary increased rating for his right forearm shell fragment wound from April 29, 2010.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by her service-connected hip, knee, ankle, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.
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