The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for right foot hallux valgus and extended a temporary total rating for left foot hallux valgus. The issues of service connection for metatarsalgia, bilateral heel spurs, fusion of the bilateral fifth toes, and bilateral hammertoes are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current hallux rigidus may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis or hallux valgus. The issues of metatarsalgia, bilateral heel spurs, fusion of the bilateral fifth toes, and hammertoes require additional VA medical opinions to address causation and aggravation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right foot hallux valgus, Left foot hallux valgus, Metatarsalgia (claimed as Morton’s disease), Bilateral heel spurs, Fusion of the bilateral fifth toes, Bilateral hammertoes
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19196035
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 19196035.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and bilateral foot conditions, prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment from August 31, 2010, to January 30, 2011.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, hearing loss, and various other conditions as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary causation to active service.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine, shoulder, and foot disabilities based on the evidence of record.
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.