The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot disability due to Morton's disease, right foot disability due to flatfoot (pes cavus), left foot disability due to Morton's disease, and left foot disability due to pes cavus have been denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has also been denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Morton's disease, Flatfoot (including pes cavus)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23056727
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 23056727.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeals for increased evaluations of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Dismissed
The Board has granted service connection for metatarsalgia, claimed as Morton's disease. However, the issue is dismissed because the claim was fully granted in a previous rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed foot disabilities are related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete examination reports and other procedural issues. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis, as well as addressing any new diagnoses.
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.