The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for pes planus and residuals of an injury to the right abdomen. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence was found in the form of statements from the Veteran regarding his pre-service foot pain and post-service abdominal symptoms, as well as a statement from a fellow service member corroborating the abdominal injury. For the hearing loss claim, the Board found that the previous VA examiner's opinion was inadequate due to its failure to address the Veteran’s contentions about the onset of hearing loss during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Pes planus, Residuals of an injury to the right abdomen
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19144821
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than August 31, 2016, for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome with spondylolisthesis and pes planus because that was the date VA received his intent to file a claim following a previous final denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right third toe disability and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding evidence and further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for pes planus, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left foot surgical scars and residuals of bunionectomy due to the need for an SOC.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection and rating of the veteran's conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee, spine, shoulder, and foot issues, has been withdrawn and dismissed.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.