The Board has remanded the case due to unclear opinions from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's right foot arthritis is related to his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis, and if so, whether it is secondary or aggravated by that condition.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because the VA examiner's opinions were confusing and did not provide adequate rationale for their conclusions.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot arthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20073164
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,738 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20073164.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right foot disability, including arthritis, osteoporosis, foot drop, neuropathy, difficult gait, and tinea pedis, was incurred during service and continues to this day.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral foot, hand, and hip conditions are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's inability to take NSAIDs due to his service-connected kidney removal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current conditions and service.
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