The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The remand includes obtaining an updated VA opinion to determine if the pre-existing pes planus increased in severity during service and whether such increase was clearly and unmistakably due to natural progression rather than service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous opinion did not use the correct standard for determining whether the increase in severity of the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was due to the natural progression of the condition or service, necessitating a new opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- pes planus, hallux valgus, degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2022
- Citation
- 22062638
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22062638.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hallux valgus, finding no competent and credible evidence linking her current condition to active service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, finding that her current condition had its onset during active military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus was dismissed because he filed a supplemental claim after the AOJ had already addressed his initial denial, violating the AMA rule against concurrent jurisdiction.
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