The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's left foot conditions, hallux rigidus, hammertoes, and her right knee and hip conditions.
The deciding factor: The current VA examinations did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability, hallux rigidus, hammertoes, and related right knee and hip conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot disability (osteotomy fifth metatarsal), hallux rigidus, hammertoes, right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18129310
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 18129310.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the preexistence and aggravation of foot disabilities during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and pes cavus, is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA examination did not address the pre-existing pes cavus upon entry into service and did not provide an adequate rationale for the remaining foot disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an internal inconsistency in a June 2022 examination report, which inadequately addressed the Veteran's left foot condition. The Veteran needs to be examined again to assess his functional loss during flare-ups and with repetitive use over time.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hallux limitus, left foot post cheilectomy first metatarsophalangeal joint claimed as left foot, big toe degenerative arthritis and left foot, big toe disability. The evidence shows the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.
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