The Veteran's hallux valgus deformity with laceration of the tibial left foot with hyperkeratotic lesions, ball of foot, is found to have clearly and unmistakably preexisted service. However, it is not clear and unmistakable that the condition was not aggravated by his active service.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting left foot condition was aggravated by his active service based on lay statements and a private medical opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus deformity, laceration of the tibial left foot with hyperkeratotic lesions, ball of foot
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2024
- Citation
- 24012423
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 24012423.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right and left foot disabilities is denied.,An effective date earlier than February 27, 2015, for the ratings assigned to the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities is also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hallux valgus deformity with laceration of the tibial left foot with hyperkeratotic lesions is being remanded due to a procedural issue related to SSA records.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, despite functional impairments.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to substantially comply with a previous remand, requiring another VA examination and medical opinion.
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