The Veteran's service-connected HIV and related conditions have resulted in the effective loss of use of his left foot, meeting the criteria for automobile or adaptive equipment eligibility.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy with left foot drop, numbness, and loss of sensation has rendered his left foot non-functional for walking, standing, or maintaining balance, necessitating adaptive equipment for safe vehicle operation.
- Claimed conditions
- HIV, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Left ankle instability, Right ankle instability, Bilateral plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26013200
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 A26013200.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis and left shoulder tendinitis due to inadequate medical opinion regarding causation.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and tendonitis, is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of marked limited motion or other significant impairment.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his total right knee replacement and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support finding an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle instability and secondary service connection for a right ankle scar. The decision also readjudicates the claim of service connection for the right ankle scar.
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