The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, which includes hammer toes of the left foot, hallux valgus of the left foot, and tarsal tunnel syndrome. The Board has remanded the case to obtain an updated VA examination that addresses all diagnosed foot disorders and their relationship to service.
The deciding factor: The July 2013 VA examination was inadequate for adjudication purposes as it did not consider other diagnoses of record or address whether any of the Veteran's diagnosed foot conditions preexisted and were aggravated by service. The examiner also failed to provide sufficient rationale for the conclusions rendered in the report.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disorder, hammer toes of the left foot, hallux valgus of the left foot, tarsal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2014
- Citation
- 1404806
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1404806.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal seeking readjudication of the previously denied claim for PTSD and multiple other conditions is dismissed due to a procedural defect. The Veteran's authorized representative at the time the appeal was submitted did not have the authority to file the appeal.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's hammer toes of the left foot and right foot are not rated higher than the current rating, and his scars of both feet do not warrant a compensable disability rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder.,Service connection is also granted for these conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination, and therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
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