The Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), sinus condition, and various bilateral foot conditions are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional development is required to obtain the Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefit records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral foot disorders.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development was needed due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining the Veteran's SSA disability benefits records and providing new medical opinions on the etiology of his bilateral foot conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), Sinus condition, Left foot hammer toes, Right foot hammer toes, Left foot pes cavus, Right foot pes cavus, Left foot hallux valgus, Right foot hallux valgus, Left foot great toe arthritis, Right foot bipartite tibial sesamoid
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2021
- Citation
- A21017640
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 A21017640.
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 GERD is rated at 10 percent since May 2023. The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for the condition, effective from May 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of sinusitis is dismissed. The appeals for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and migraine disability are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus was granted service connection effective July 17, 2019. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of his claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, which included a secondary claim for right foot hallux valgus.
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