The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion on direct service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot condition. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the condition manifested during service or is otherwise related to active service.
The deciding factor: A VA medical opinion is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis, specifically whether it is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2026
- Citation
- A26003499
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 A26003499.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hallux valgus, as well as the denial of a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis, were decided. The appeal was also granted for service connection for right leg pain, left leg pain, right ankle condition (also claimed as Achilles tendon), and left ankle condition (also claimed as Achilles tendon).
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's tarsal tunnel syndrome, pes planus with degenerative arthritis, and hallux valgus, as well as service connection for various disorders.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to render him unable to physically care for himself, thereby granting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for GERD was granted, but no earlier effective dates were granted for the other service connection claims.
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