The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left foot disability and whether separate ratings should be assigned for metatarsalgia, hallux rigidus, and hammer toes. The AOJ must also ensure that the Veteran can access any pertinent documents.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left foot disability and whether separate ratings should be assigned for metatarsalgia, hallux rigidus, and hammer toes.
- Claimed conditions
- status post osteotomy, left hallux valgus deformity, metatarsalgia, hallux rigidus, hammer toes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189599
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19189599.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for metatarsalgia, tailor's bunion, intractable plantar keratosis, callus, and osteoarthritis of the left foot great toe. The decision is based on evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and an earlier effective date have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires additional development, including an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability.
- Whole decision: 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.
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