The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left great toe amputation and its impact on his balance and ambulation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected left great toe amputation warrants further evaluation as it may affect his balance and ambulation, which could lead to a more beneficial rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.
- Claimed conditions
- amputation, distal phalanx, left great toe, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18139391
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 18139391.
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 remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The issues of service connection are being addressed.
- Denied
The Board denied a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral shin splints and ankle conditions due to a failure by the AOJ to consider the ameliorative effects of medications used to treat the Veteran's disabilities. The VA must provide adequate examinations that address the severity of her service-connected bilateral shin and ankle conditions, considering the ameliorative effects of any medication taken.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal with respect to all the issues.
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