The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiological opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disability is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records and seek adequate etiological opinions that respond fully to the Board's inquiries.
The deciding factor: The etiological opinions provided by the examiners were negative but did not adequately discuss the medical principles supporting their conclusions, particularly regarding the impact of a failing right ankle causing falls and an altered gait on the left foot disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot degenerative arthritis, mild hallux valgus deformity of the great toe with moderate flexion deformity of fourth and fifth toes, early spur formation in the plantar aspect of the calcaneus, left naviculocuneiform posttraumatic degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22053050
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 22053050.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on multiple conditions, and the claims are dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left foot degenerative arthritis, and left foot post-surgical scar due to an error in failing to provide notice of the right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's left foot disability, excluding plantar fasciitis, is being evaluated further.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.
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