The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for right foot and left foot disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of an additional disability resulting from VA care, nor did the current conditions have a nexus to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his in-service injuries or exposure, and that any current disabilities are more likely due to natural progression over time rather than being caused by VA treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- right hallux valgus, right hallux rigidus, bilateral arthritis, bilateral plantar fibromatosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23002677
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 23002677.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus, left hallux valgus, and right hallux valgus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one with a proper evaluation of the Veteran's foot disabilities.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hallux valgus, tinea pedis, vertigo and dizziness, bilateral pes planus, and left hallux valgus have been granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation at any time during the period on appeal, and therefore TDIU is denied.
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.