The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct a VA examination for his left ankle and right tibia and fibula disabilities, and provide an opinion on the etiology of his lower back disorder. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.
The deciding factor: The current evaluation does not address all theories of secondary service connection and the available schedular evaluations are inadequate to evaluate the left ankle disability due to its maximum rating under Code 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back disorder, traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, healed fractures of the right tibia and fibula
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2010
- Citation
- 1045929
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 1045929.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right hip, and right ankle disorders as secondary to his left knee disorder. The AOJ must obtain VA examinations and provide answers to questions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left leg shin splints and lower back disorder due to new evidence received by the Veteran. The VA will conduct further examinations and consider any additional evidence before making a decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including new medical opinions and examinations.
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