The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus with hammertoes disability is rated at a single 30 percent rating for the entire appeal period, but her right and left foot hallux valgus disabilities are denied ratings higher than 10 percent. The Board also found that she does not meet the criteria for TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pes cavus with hammertoes disability more nearly approximates a single 30 percent rating, but her right and left foot hallux valgus disabilities do not warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right foot hallux valgus, Left foot hallux valgus, Bilateral pes cavus with hammertoes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20053759
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 20053759.
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: Denied
The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus was granted service connection effective July 17, 2019. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of his claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, which included a secondary claim for right foot hallux valgus.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the right foot hallux valgus condition should have been granted service connection in the first place, and thus the severance of service connection was improper. The Veteran's statements and medical opinions support a nexus to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective August 13, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since this date.,Due to the grant of an earlier effective date for TDIU, the Veteran is now eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 starting from August 13, 2020.
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.