The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of a current disability, and the Board found no evidence linking her symptoms to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for an increased rating for hallux valgus of the right foot, post-operative, was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition has worsened beyond what is expected with normal aging.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, which are not service-connected. The Board found insufficient medical evidence linking her current conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (claimed as radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities), hallux valgus of the right foot, post-operative
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080412
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 granted an initial rating of 10 percent for hallux valgus of the right and left foot, effective November 30, 2004. The claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hallux valgus of the right foot as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fascia release. The claims for increased ratings for painful surgical scar, left ankle s/p tarsal tunnel and partial plantar fascia release, and bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fascia release were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hallux valgus of the left and right foot, hammer toes on the right foot, and bilateral great toe arthritis, all secondary to the service-connected porokeratosis with intractable plantar keratosis. The increased rating period for the service-connected left foot porokeratosis was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that his hallux valgus of both feet did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent and that he was capable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
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