The Veteran's claim for non-degenerative arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis is denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet, and hammer toe of the left foot second toe as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. ,Service connection is granted for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's claim for gout, other than gout of the fingers and thumbs remains pending due to lack of evidence regarding its onset in service or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for hammer toes other than the second toe of the left foot is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, to include arthritis, is remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of non-degenerative arthritic condition during or recent to the pendency of the claim.,The VA medical opinion indicated that the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral degenerative arthritis, and hammer toe of the left second toe are proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,The VA medical opinion indicated that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,There is no evidence regarding the onset or herbicide exposure for gout, other than gout of the fingers and thumbs.,The VA examination did not address hammer toes of the third through fifth left toes in relation to the October 2016 x-ray results.,The VA medical opinion only addressed direct service connection. The Veteran's thoracolumbar condition must be evaluated for onset within one year of separation from service, its relationship to herbicide exposure, or secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.
- Claimed conditions
- non-degenerative arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet, hammer toe of the left foot second toe, osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, gout
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23063851
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 23063851.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's gout claim for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination and ensuring all relevant records are obtained. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gout and bilateral foot conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's representative requested an informal conference, but it did not take place before the April 2021 rating decision was issued.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder, gout, multiple painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
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.