The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hallux valgus, left foot. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition is related to service and to distinguish symptoms from other diagnosed conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found the previous medical nexus opinion inadequate and remanded for a new examination to address causation and differentiate symptoms from other disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus (bunion), left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2024
- Citation
- A24025610
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 A24025610.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missed VA examinations and a duty to assist error. The issues of service connection for hallux valgus (bunion), left foot, including as secondary to service connected plantar-lateral of the left foot as secondary to deformity of overlying 5th metatarsal; increased disability evaluation rating in excess of 20 percent for service connected lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease; and increased disability evaluation rating in excess of 10 percent for service connected GERD with gastritis are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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