The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right and left foot hammertoe, status post arthroplasty as the disability is rated at its maximum under Diagnostic Code 5282.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that ratings higher than 10 percent were warranted for left or right foot hammertoes pursuant to Diagnostic Codes 5282 and 5284, as the Veteran's disability was rated under Diagnostic Code 5282.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot hammertoe, left foot hammertoe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20045343
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 20045343.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection of various foot and shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right ankle condition as secondary to other service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities including right foot heel spur, right foot post bunionectomy, right foot hammertoe, left foot heel spur, left great toe post bunionectomy with hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease, left foot hammertoe, right hip bursitis, and left hip trochanteric bursitis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right foot hammertoe as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to military service.
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.