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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1404806.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.