{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hallux-valgus","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:06.525Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Hallux valgus","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":834,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":55.2,"remanded_pct":23.1,"granted_on_merits_pct":29.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":111,"granted_pct":21.6,"denied_pct":55.9,"remanded_pct":22.5},{"year":2018,"issues":129,"granted_pct":16.3,"denied_pct":57.4,"remanded_pct":24.8},{"year":2019,"issues":127,"granted_pct":22.8,"denied_pct":59.1,"remanded_pct":18.1},{"year":2020,"issues":130,"granted_pct":28.5,"denied_pct":57.7,"remanded_pct":13.8},{"year":2021,"issues":145,"granted_pct":28.3,"denied_pct":56.6,"remanded_pct":13.8},{"year":2022,"issues":83,"granted_pct":25.3,"denied_pct":41,"remanded_pct":33.7},{"year":2023,"issues":106,"granted_pct":27.4,"denied_pct":43.4,"remanded_pct":28.3},{"year":2024,"issues":138,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":54.3,"remanded_pct":23.2},{"year":2025,"issues":136,"granted_pct":20.6,"denied_pct":61.8,"remanded_pct":17.6},{"year":2026,"issues":32,"granted_pct":18.8,"denied_pct":53.1,"remanded_pct":28.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":57.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":131,"granted_pct_with":53.2,"granted_pct_without":24.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":705,"granted_pct_with":25.8,"granted_pct_without":52.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":112,"granted_pct_with":55.1,"granted_pct_without":25.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":435,"granted_pct_with":23.8,"granted_pct_without":34.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":239,"granted_pct_with":36.4,"granted_pct_without":26.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":43,"granted_pct_with":36.8,"granted_pct_without":29.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":730,"granted_pct_with":29.1,"granted_pct_without":32.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":18},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":10},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":4},{"reason":"painful motion recognized under 38 c.f.r. § 4.59","decisions":3},{"reason":"painful motion under 38 c.f.r. § 4.59","decisions":3},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":111},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":44},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":33},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":23},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":14},{"reason":"criteria for higher rating not met","decisions":9}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26024078","year":2026,"judge":"M. DONOHUE","rationale":"Restoration of 20 percent rating granted.; Reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper.; Stabilization of rating requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 3.344 applied."},{"case_id":"A26020200","year":2026,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Evidence in approximate balance; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor; November 2024 nurse practitioner opinion found probative"},{"case_id":"A26017432","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"Surgery contemplated by DC 5280 performed; Evidence supports rating from February 1, 2023; Separate rating warranted"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040694","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"STRs silent for foot conditions; Veteran testified no foot pain during service; Post-service diagnosis of hallux valgus; VA exam opined less likely than not related to service; Private opinions lacked specific diagnosis and rationale"},{"case_id":"A26029654","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTI L. GUNN","rationale":"Preexisting hallux valgus noted at enlistment; No evidence of aggravation during service; Delayed post-service treatment for chronic condition"},{"case_id":"A26029174","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"No history of surgery with metatarsal head resection.; No severe hallux valgus equivalent to amputation.; Evidence did not meet criteria for compensable rating."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}