The Veteran's claim for service connection for hallux valgus deformity with laceration of the tibial left foot with hyperkeratotic lesions is being remanded due to a procedural issue related to SSA records.
The deciding factor: The Court found that the Board erred by failing to ensure VA made adequate attempts to obtain potentially relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which are necessary for proper adjudication of the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus deformity, laceration of the tibial left foot with hyperkeratotic lesions, ball of foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2023
- Citation
- 23015948
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 23015948.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's hallux valgus deformity with laceration of the tibial left foot with hyperkeratotic lesions, ball of foot, is found to have clearly and unmistakably preexisted service. However, it is not clear and unmistakable that the condition was not aggravated by his active service.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right and left foot disabilities is denied.,An effective date earlier than February 27, 2015, for the ratings assigned to the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities is also denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, despite functional impairments.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to substantially comply with a previous remand, requiring another VA examination and medical opinion.
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