The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral metatarsalgia and a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities prior to May 14, 2015.
The deciding factor: The VA examination in May 2015 was the first evidence that related the current disability of bilateral metatarsalgia to service or a service-connected disability, and the Veteran's multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities did not clearly interfere with normal employability prior to this date.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral metatarsalgia, hallux valgus of the right great toe, to include hallux rigidus, hallux valgus of the left great toe, to include hallux rigidus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2022
- Citation
- 22000417
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 Board denied service connection for bilateral metatarsalgia as there is no evidence of a current disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral metatarsalgia as further development is required.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of November 17, 2019, for service connection for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain but remanded the other issues.
- Partly granted
The Board granted separate noncompensable ratings for bilateral pes planus, bilateral metatarsalgia, bilateral ganglion cysts, and left foot painful calluses as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bunionectomy residuals. The claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot bunionectomy residuals were denied.
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.