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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20045343.
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: Dismissed
The appeals for service connection of various foot and shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right ankle condition as secondary to other service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.