The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for right and left flatfoot disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability are also inextricably intertwined with these flatfoot claims.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it relied solely on the absence of evidence, which is not sufficient to determine the etiology of the Veteran's foot conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- right flatfoot, left flatfoot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23057746
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 23057746.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed, and the claims for service connection for fatigue, a neck strain, trigger finger, left flatfoot, right flatfoot, and bilateral shoulder conditions are denied. The claims for service connection for foot and toe conditions are remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including asthma, respiratory issues, and other musculoskeletal conditions due to the lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses or a link to in-service events.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were mostly denied, but a rating of 90 percent for residuals of a right total hip replacement and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) were granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition), carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, iliopsoas tendinitis of the right hip, irritable bowel syndrome, left ankle condition, left flatfoot, left knee condition, right ankle condition, right flatfoot, right knee, sleep apnea, and varicose veins of both lower extremities are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition), carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and varicose veins of both lower extremities are remanded.
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