The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his in-service injuries or exposure. The evidence did not support a presumption of service connection based on continuity of symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions found no link between the Veteran's current foot conditions and his in-service injuries or exposure to ill-fitting footwear, leading to denial of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Right foot hallux valgus, Left foot hallux valgus, Bilateral calcaneal spurs, Degenerative arthritis (feet), Status post bunionectomy (right foot), Status post bunionectomy (left foot)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21063678
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 21063678.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.