The Veteran's left great toe disability was granted a maximum rating of 30 percent, effective September 20, 2006. The right knee and left knee disabilities were remanded for further development. A TDIU was granted beginning October 25, 2007. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted starting December 8, 2014.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected left great toe disability manifested as severe disability virtually or actually equivalent to amputation with removal of metatarsal head beginning September 20, 2006. The combined effect of his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation starting October 25, 2007. His need for regular aid and attendance was established effective December 8, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- left great toe amputation, traumatic arthritis of the right knee with painful limitation of motion, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, residual scar, left great toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20073988
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,451 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20073988.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the left knee and plantar fasciitis of the right foot prior to January 2, 2024, are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it was not raised by the Veteran prior to the September 2021 rating decision on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and x-ray consideration, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's left great toe amputation.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of service connection due to his death.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including postoperative residuals of a left knee injury, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, were found to be contributory causes of his death. As such, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
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