The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her bilateral foot disabilities, including DJD of the first MTP joints, have been denied. Separate 10 percent ratings for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy associated with her service-connected foot disabilities are granted as of January 12, 2023.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to the maximum schedular ratings already assigned. The separate 10 percent ratings for lower extremity neuropathy are appropriate based on her service-connected foot disabilities and the current effective date of January 12, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- Status post bunionectomy and strain of the left foot, Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the bilateral first metatarsal phalanges (MTP) joints, Bilateral lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 16, 2023
- Citation
- 23045488
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 23045488.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right ankle condition, and tinnitus, caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 16, 2024. The Board granted TDIU based on the cumulative effects of his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy, to obtain additional evidence and a new medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability and service connection for various conditions, as additional development is necessary.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and prostate cancer due to duty to assist errors.
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