The Board has remanded the issues of rating excess of 10 percent for residuals of a stress fracture in each foot due to additional development needed, including an examination and medical opinion regarding whether assistive devices are related to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's use of assistive devices warrants a higher than moderate disability rating under the applicable VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Stress fracture of the first metatarsal bone in each foot, Right foot metatarsal debridement, Right foot avascular necrosis of the second metatarsal head, Left foot calcaneal enthesophyte, Right foot acute avulsion of the lateral base of the first distal phalanx, Left foot plantar fasciitis, Left foot hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20040624
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 20040624.
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 Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective August 13, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since this date.,Due to the grant of an earlier effective date for TDIU, the Veteran is now eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 starting from August 13, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to properly evaluate the current severity of her disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from May 25, 2016 to January 18, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.
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