The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability, a neck disability, and entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's diagnosed left foot disabilities were incurred in or caused by service. There was no relationship between the Veteran's current left foot diagnoses and his military service because there is no medical relationship between shin splints and the Veteran's diagnoses, the Veteran's service treatment records did not discuss the left forefoot, and post-service medical records do not show any issues until 2020 when the Veteran was seen following a hiking injury.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot disability, neck disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25033850
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, as an appellant's claim does not survive their death.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability and left foot disability as the evidence did not support that the preexisting conditions worsened beyond their natural progression during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).
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