The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected foot conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes prior to October 5, 2022, and the maximum schedular ratings had been assigned from that date onward.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot hallux valgus, type II accessory navicular bones, left foot hallux valgus, flexor hallucis longus tendinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2024
- Citation
- 24000908
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back, right ring finger, and left foot hallux valgus disabilities but granted an initial 30 percent rating for pes planus from August 17, 2021, a 50 percent rating for pes planus from December 15, 2023, and a separate 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis from August 17, 2021.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability and remanded claims for right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, right hip disability, and right shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus. Service connection was also granted for the low back condition and a right shoulder condition. However, the claims for a neck condition and right hip condition were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication for the claims of service connection for left foot hallux valgus and tinea versicolor, but denied the claims for tinea corporis, tinea cruris, carbuncle, cyst, and scarring secondary to tinea versicolor.
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.