The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left foot hallux valgus and right foot hallux valgus was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a rating greater than 10 percent for either condition.
The deciding factor: The disability ratings were based on the specific diagnostic codes, with no higher rating possible under Diagnostic Code 5280 and no other applicable codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20073851
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back, right ring finger, and left foot hallux valgus disabilities but granted an initial 30 percent rating for pes planus from August 17, 2021, a 50 percent rating for pes planus from December 15, 2023, and a separate 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis from August 17, 2021.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability and remanded claims for right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, right hip disability, and right shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus. Service connection was also granted for the low back condition and a right shoulder condition. However, the claims for a neck condition and right hip condition were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication for the claims of service connection for left foot hallux valgus and tinea versicolor, but denied the claims for tinea corporis, tinea cruris, carbuncle, cyst, and scarring secondary to tinea versicolor.
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