The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining an additional opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed hallux valgus.
The deciding factor: The October 2023 examiner's explanation of contributing factors for hallux valgus included 'years of pressure' and 'foot injuries,' which remain unclear as to whether they are attributable to the effects of service-connected disability, necessitating further development.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus, synostosis of the mid phalanges of the right fifth digit
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2024
- Citation
- 24003875
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a left foot condition to satisfy a statutory duty related to the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a more thorough medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's left foot/toe disorders are related to her service or secondary to her service-connected left knee disability.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed because the Veteran did not timely file a Board Appeal request and no good cause was shown for the late filing.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot conditions, including hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, and midfoot arthritis.
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