The appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for right foot hammer toe, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus has been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board will seek medical opinions on these claims.
The deciding factor: There was an omission in requesting a medical examination specifically addressing the right foot hammer toe and bilateral hallux valgus, which is necessary for proper adjudication of the service connection claims.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot hammer toe, right foot hammer toe, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26023107
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 A26023107.
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 appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits as they have no jurisdiction.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding his service-connected conditions and related disability ratings, effective as of March 16, 2026.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in considering all conditions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right great toe / foot disability and his claimed frostbite injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot hammer toe and bilateral knees are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as their relationship to his military service.
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