The Board has decided that another VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disabilities, including pes planus and hallux valgus. The current opinion from January 2020 was deemed inadequate due to its failure to consider whether the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous examination did not adequately address whether the Veteran’s pes planus existed prior to service or if it was aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right foot pes planus, Hallux valgus (right great toe)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20060054
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 20060054.
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 right foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent prior to September 8, 2020 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.
- Denied
The Veteran's right foot pes planus with chronic pain is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and a compensable rating, as there was no evidence of an informal or formal claim prior to September 27, 2022.
- Granted
The appeal concerning the proposed reduction of rating for major depressive disorder was dismissed, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.
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