The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for hallux valgus of both feet remains denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his bilateral foot conditions and low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Hallux Valgus of the Left Foot, Hallux Valgus of the Right Foot
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21026519
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 21026519.
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 bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus of the left and right feet are rated at their maximum allowable levels, and no higher ratings can be assigned.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, and for left foot pes planus. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her increased rating of bilateral plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left elbow disabilities, thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, right knee disability (other than Osgood-Schlatter's disease), left knee disability (other than Osgood-Schlatter's disease), and compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 for an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.
- Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus of the right and left feet, and degenerative joint disease of both feet. The Veteran's TDIU status from service-connected depressive disorder is also recognized.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.