The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for his feet and knees, as well as a new rating for his right hip disability. The SMC claim is also being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded due to a failure by VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from Center for Orthopaedics and an inadequate examination of the Veteran's right hip disability.
- Claimed conditions
- plantar fasciitis of the right foot, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome (right hip disability) based on abduction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26038784
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 A26038784.
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 bilateral pes planus, metatarsalgia of both feet, plantar fasciitis of both feet, and neuropathy of both feet have been granted effective July 14, 2014. The Veteran also received a separate rating for hammertoes of the right foot (10%) and left foot (10%), as well as arthritis of the first MTP joint of the right and left foot (10%).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will consider the new evidence provided by the Veteran and any additional evidence submitted during the appeal process.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for his service-connected hypertension based on a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and requiring continuous medication for control. The remaining claims are remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.