The case is being remanded for further development of the veteran's medical records and a VA orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right ankle disorder, as well as the nature and extent of his service-connected chondromalacia in both knees.
The deciding factor: Further evidence is needed from the veteran's medical providers and an orthopedic examination is required to assess the current status of his knee conditions and determine their relationship to service.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle disorder, chondromalacia of the right knee, chondromalacia of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 2, 2003
- Citation
- 0322250
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 0322250.
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 appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and remanded several other issues, including service connection for various disorders and increased ratings for the right knee. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for right foot and ankle disorders, granted service connection for chronic kidney disease stage 3 as secondary to hypertension, and denied a higher rating for hypertension. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension was set to May 5, 2021.
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