The Board denied service connection for nerve damage of the feet, finding that it did not have onset during service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's current nerve damage is more likely related to his diabetes and lumbar radiculopathy than to any in-service event.
The deciding factor: The Board found no direct nexus between the claimed condition and service, and insufficient evidence supported secondary service connection based on bilateral knee DJD or tinea pedis.
- Claimed conditions
- nerve damage of the feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2021
- Citation
- 21072043
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 21072043.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claims for respiratory disability, tinnitus, nerve damage of the feet, and hyperkeratoses of the feet have been granted. The Board found that these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and adjudication of issues related to pes planus, degenerative joint disease of the feet, and service connection for nerve damage of the feet. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its April 2018 remand directives and another remand is required. The AOJ needs to take appropriate action to develop the referred issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for pes planus and entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the feet, as these are inextricably intertwined with the issue currently on appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma), nerve damage of the feet, and hyperkeratoses of the feet. The claims are being returned due to incomplete VA treatment records and lack of audiometric test results.
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