The Board found that the reduction of the rating for service-connected painful left foot scar from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective July 19, 2023, was not proper and is void ab initio.
The deciding factor: The AOJ failed to consider and apply all the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.344 in its reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his left foot scar, leading to an improper reduction.
- Claimed conditions
- painful left foot scar, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, lumbosacral strain and degenerative, left knee scar, headaches, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unspecified traumatic stressor related disorder, to include obsessive compulsive disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome, right lower extremity, restless leg syndrome, left lower extremity, lipomas
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25095701
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,836 · Granted: 31% (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 A25095701.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
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