The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date are being remanded due to incomplete medical records.
The deciding factor: Incomplete medical records from the year prior to his December 2004 claim prevent a full review of the case.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture, right 4th metacarpal, post-traumatic degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2008
- Citation
- 0809071
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 0809071.
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 Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle disability, finding that his current diagnoses and reported symptoms are consistent with in-service injuries. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of chronic ankle problems since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to insufficient examination and review of his medical records, particularly regarding the relationship between his Osgood-Schlatter disease and his current left knee disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, including osteoarthritis and post-traumatic degenerative joint disease, is not related to service or any service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA/privately held medical records. The Veteran's right knee injury is presumed during combat service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it caused his current conditions.
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