The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's foot disabilities other than his service-connected pes planus. The examiner is requested to address whether these disabilities are related to service, particularly given the Veteran's testimony of continuous pain since military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the February 2020 VA examiner’s opinions were based on inaccurate factual premises and thus inadequate for addressing all relevant diagnoses and issues raised in the appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- hammer toes, metatarsalgia, heel spurs, bilateral degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20061159
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 20061159.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's initial claims for service connection were not properly considered and remanded to obtain a full copy of her service treatment records. The Veteran was also scheduled for an examination to determine if she had any current bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or pain.
- 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: 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: 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.
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