The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left foot disabilities result in loss of use as defined by VA regulations, and therefore grants special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows significant pain, limited mobility, and functional impairment of the left foot, which is equivalent to a loss of effective function other than what would be served by an amputation with prosthetic use.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot hallux valgus, left foot degenerative joint disease, left foot osteotomy and bunionectomy left great toe, left foot arthrodesis 2nd toe, left foot arthroplasty 5th toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2024
- Citation
- A24051296
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 A24051296.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits as they have no jurisdiction.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding his service-connected conditions and related disability ratings, effective as of March 16, 2026.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The TDIU claim was granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking treatment for his left foot hallux valgus, pes planus, right fifth finger traumatic injury with arthritis, but the VA examinations did not consider all relevant evidence.
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