The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected hallux rigidus with osteoarthritis in left big toe. The VA must obtain adequate opinions addressing both theories of secondary service connection.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's alternate theories of secondary service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis, specifically whether it is due to gait changes or as a subsequent manifestation of systemic osteoarthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- right hip degenerative arthritis, hallux rigidus with osteoarthritis in left big toe
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24068669
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 915 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A24068669.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for various degenerative arthritis conditions of the Veteran's lumbar spine, hips, knees, and elbows. These conditions are presumed to have onset within one year of discharge from active service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied.,Effective date determinations were not provided as the decisions are in denial.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions were incurred in service due to wear and tear from military activities.
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