The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claims on appeal are decided, as the Veteran did not report for scheduled VA examinations and there is uncertainty regarding notification of these exams. The issues of service connection for a back disability, 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities, initial compensable evaluation for fracture first cuneiform right foot with failed fusion and degenerative changes of the talonavicular joint, initial compensable evaluation for scars of the right foot, and TDIU are all remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not report for scheduled VA examinations, which may affect his claims as they were based on evidence in the record. The Board is unable to presume that the Veteran was properly notified of the upcoming examinations due to potential miscommunication regarding address information.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, fracture first cuneiform right foot with failed fusion and degenerative changes of the talonavicular joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18159144
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 18159144.
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.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the colon is granted as secondary to his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder to include alcohol use disorder. The back disability claim is remanded for further development.
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