The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tinea pedis, hammertoes, hallux valgus, and pes planus, as well as the propriety of a noncompensable rating for surgical scars from hammertoe repair.
The deciding factor: For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under applicable regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, hammertoes of the left foot, hammertoes of the right foot, hallux valgus of the left foot, bilateral pes planus with callosities, surgical scars from hammertoe repair of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23000561
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 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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral planter fasciitis and remanded the other issues, including a compensable evaluation for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, service connection for dermatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- 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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