The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral foot disorders and whether they are related to service. The examiner must address if his pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by military service, if his gout is related to in-service complaints, and if it is secondary to any service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examination opinions were inadequate as they did not consider whether the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by military service or if his gout was related to in-service complaints. The examiner also needed to address if his gout was secondary to any service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee RHA.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disorder, gout, pes planus, rheumatoid arthritis (RHA)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2022
- Citation
- 22033629
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 22033629.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's gout claim for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination and ensuring all relevant records are obtained. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus condition was aggravated by service. The effective date is August 15, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gout and bilateral foot conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's representative requested an informal conference, but it did not take place before the April 2021 rating decision was issued.
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