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 assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189599
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 19189599.
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 remands the appeal to obtain a VA medical opinion that considers the Veteran's contentions of in-service training with heavy gear and equipment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for metatarsalgia, tinea pedis, and GERD.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for pes planus with hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, and hammer toes as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot conditions, including hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, and midfoot arthritis.
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