The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral flatfoot, hammer toes of the right foot, and hammer toes of the left foot based on new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: New evidence was submitted that relates to a necessary but previously unestablished fact (the nature of the Veteran's pre-existing conditions) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral flatfoot, hammer toes of the right foot, hammer toes of the left foot, left foot or ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18143143
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 18143143.
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 for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral flatfoot is dismissed as moot because the Board granted the earliest possible effective date, which encompasses the entire period on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, neck condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral flatfoot, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right ankle pain, as the current evidence is inadequate to make a decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, knee and back issues, neck strain, shin splints, shoulder strain, sinusitis, rhinitis, GERD, penile condition, and bilateral flatfoot.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot and acne scars due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including missing personnel records and inadequate medical opinions.
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