The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left foot hallux rigidus was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating due to moderate symptoms and no actual loss of use.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (anxiety, depression, insomnia) is remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine its etiology.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left foot hallux rigidus was rated under DC 5284 and found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating due to moderate symptoms without actual loss of use.,There is no established service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition as there is insufficient medical evidence linking current mental health conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot hallux rigidus, degenerative arthritis in left foot
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26039489
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 A26039489.
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 Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim of service connection for left foot hallux rigidus due to non-compliance with claims processing regulations regarding the timeliness of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left great toe hallux valgus as there was no legal basis to consider these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, hallux rigidus, and osteoarthritis as secondary to a service-connected bunionectomy. The conditions are all found to have onset during active service.
- Granted
The Veteran's stroke, s/p cerebrovascular accident is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis in left foot and lower back disability are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee and right knee are denied as not being service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis in left hip is denied as not being service-connected.
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