The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability of the feet, and the claim was denied on the basis that there is no evidence of a chronic foot condition during service or since. For his anxiety disorder with TBI, the Board determined that the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (DC 9413) should be used, resulting in a 50% rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have any diagnosed foot disabilities and denied having symptoms of foot pain during service or since. His anxiety disorder with TBI was rated under DC 9413, which is the highest applicable rating for his condition based on the overlap between his mental diagnosis and TBI.
- Claimed conditions
- Left foot disability, Right foot disability, Generalized anxiety disorder with TBI, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Migraine headaches, Left carpal tunnel syndrome, Right carpal tunnel syndrome, Left shoulder strain, Right shoulder strain, Cervical strain, Left hip bursitis, Right knee osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2022
- Citation
- 22013123
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 22013123.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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