The Veteran's left foot, leg and ankle disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of causation.,Tinnitus is presumed related to in-service acoustic trauma.
The deciding factor: VA medical treatment did not cause the Veteran's additional disability or death. The proximate cause was carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part.
- Claimed conditions
- 5th toe (left foot), Left leg (focal sciatic lesion), Left ankle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2024
- Citation
- 24007632
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 24007632.
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 Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and left ankle strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for a left ankle strain and limitation of extension and flexion of the left knee have been granted. The rating for limitation of flexion is subject to further review.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right ankle conditions are rated at a 20 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, effective January 23, 2020.
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.