The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner and requesting outstanding medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to determine if her low back disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service. Her claims for hammer toe of the feet and painful scars of the feet are also being remanded, as well as whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previous denial of service connection for a left shoulder condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the May 2015 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate due to reliance on inaccurate facts and failure to address lay assertions of continuity of symptoms since service. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner or another appropriate physician, if necessary.
- Claimed conditions
- low back (lumbar) disability, hammer toe of the right foot, hammer toe of the left foot, painful scars of feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1540923
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 1540923.
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 Board dismissed the motions for revision of clear and unmistakable error in various rating decisions, including those related to service connection and ratings for multiple conditions. The claims for service connection were remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The TDIU appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. Service connection for bilateral pes planus, hammer toes of both feet, and PTSD were remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's hammer toe of the right foot with partial amputation of the second toe is rated as 10 percent disabling beginning April 1, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 20 percent for exostosis fifth right toe, operated is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.
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