The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral foot/ankle disabilities. The VA examination report is inadequate, and the case is REMANDED to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether any pre-existing foot and/or ankle disability existed prior to service and was aggravated by it.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion does not constitute clear and unmistakable evidence of nonaggravation of any preexisting foot/ankle disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot/ankle disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1138308
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 1138308.
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
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