The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, including any current varicose vein problems, phlebitis or venous insufficiency, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further medical examination.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their earlier opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service ankle sprain and any current symptomatology. The Board also failed to request an opinion on whether the Veteran's in-service ankle sprain caused or aggravated his claimed varicose vein problems, phlebitis or venous insufficiency.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a left ankle injury, varicose vein problems, phlebitis, venous insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2010
- Citation
- 1008148
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 1008148.
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 granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis, secondary to residuals of pericarditis, due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including IBS, venous insufficiency, a lung condition, liver condition, GERD, right and left hand conditions, upper extremity neuropathy, kidney condition, and obesity. The claims for bilateral shoulder strain, bilateral flat feet, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, and arthritis; left knee strain and instability; right knee strain and instability; left ankle condition; right ankle condition; hypertension; erectile dysfunction; allergic rhinitis; obstructive sleep apnea; tension headaches; heart condition; depression; and anxiety were remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for phlebitis due to a lack of evidence supporting the claim, and remanded the issue of service connection for headaches for further development.
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