The Board granted an effective date of November 29, 2011 for muscle atrophy of the left thigh and calf, but denied earlier dates for right foot pes planus. It also granted a rating of 20 percent for left foot hammertoes (second, third, fourth, and little toes) with acquired pes cavus effective August 16, 2021.

The deciding factor: The November 29, 2011 Statement in Support of Claim was considered a valid informal claim for service connection for the left leg muscle atrophy disability, leading to an earlier effective date. The right foot pes planus claim did not have a valid written informal claim prior to August 16, 2022.

Claimed conditions

muscle atrophy of the left thigh and calf, right foot pes planus, left foot hammertoes (second, third, fourth, and little toes) with acquired pes cavus, unspecified sleep wake disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 23, 2025

Citation

A25091906

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