The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting another examination of his feet.
The deciding factor: VA failed to obtain relevant DOD and VA treatment records that could potentially support the Veteran's increased rating claims for hallux valgus deformity of both feet.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus deformity of the right foot, hallux valgus deformity of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2009
- Citation
- 0945587
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 0945587.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent, while the other claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including headaches, bilateral pes planus, erectile dysfunction, and others, as the evidence did not support a conclusion that these disabilities were incurred in or caused by active military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not require him to be in bed or unable to perform daily activities.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not aggravated during service and is not shown to have been aggravated by any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for bilateral pes planus cannot be established.
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