The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not have any pending claims for VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, burial benefits were denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had no service-connected disabilities at the time of his death, nor did he have an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension benefits that was ultimately granted.
- Claimed conditions
- hammertoes, bunions, feet issues, leg issues
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23024544
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 23024544.
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 bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and pes cavus, is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA examination did not address the pre-existing pes cavus upon entry into service and did not provide an adequate rationale for the remaining foot disabilities.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and arthritis. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was aggravated by his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to an incomplete set of the Veteran's service treatment records.
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