The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development due to unclear differentiation between service-connected and nonservice-connected lower extremity disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner was requested to provide a supplemental opinion differentiating the Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities from his nonservice-connected lower extremity conditions, as the current evidence does not clearly distinguish between them.
- Claimed conditions
- bunionectomy, hammertoe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1618567
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1618567.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board could not determine if the veteran's conditions impaired his ability to work.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for foot spasms, athlete's foot, and hammertoe due to a lack of objective medical evidence showing clinical diagnoses close in proximity to or during the pendency of the claims. The Veteran was not afforded a VA examination for his hammertoe, which is now remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right foot disability, including neuroma second web space and bunionectomy, is remanded for a new examination to assess its severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's right foot disabilities, including Morton's neuroma, hammertoe, hallus valgus, and plantar fasciitis. The claim is being decided on the merits as new evidence was received since the last denial.
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