The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting left foot disability was aggravated by service. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay reports of limping upon entry into military service and provide a clear and unmistakable opinion on this matter.
The deciding factor: The Board requires an examination to determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's preexisting left foot disability was aggravated by service, considering his lay reports of limping in service.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot degenerative arthritis, malunion/non-union of the left tarsal/metatarsal bones
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2023
- Citation
- 23027358
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 23027358.
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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