The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations/medical opinions. The Veteran's pes planus was noted upon entrance into service and an aggravation opinion is needed. For allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, a new VA examination and medical opinion are required as the Veteran had non-deployment related exposure through his MOS as Engineer Equipment Repairman.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the prior VA examinations/medical opinions were inadequate for adjudicating the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The Veteran's pes planus was noted upon entrance into service and an aggravation opinion is needed. For allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, a new VA examination and medical opinion are required as the Veteran had non-deployment related exposure through his MOS as Engineer Equipment Repairman.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2024
- Citation
- 24016493
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 24016493.
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's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has ordered the case back to the AOJ for proper notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to provide proper notice of his right to a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
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