The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disorders, as well as an initial rating higher than 20 percent for the low back disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of a causal relationship between the Veteran's foot and low back conditions and his active military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's symptoms were not shown to be continuous since service, and there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Left foot disorder, Right foot disorder, Low back disability (L5-S1 disc herniation)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25051500
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 Veteran's left foot disorder was rated at 10 percent from July 21, 2023, to December 18, 2023, and a 20 percent rating was granted as of the earlier effective date of December 18, 2023.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbar disability, denied an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and denied an increased rating for left foot disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disorders, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right wrist disorder, and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective September 14, 2021. The appeal was also remanded to address additional issues related to the left foot disorder.
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