The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot/ankle disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year of separation, and no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The persuasive balance of the evidence failed to establish an etiological relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot hallux valgus, right ankle sprain, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and ankles
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2025
- Citation
- 25004357
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 granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected right ankle sprain, but denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for headaches, a bilateral wrist disability, a bilateral hip disability, facial scars, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain.
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