The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral feet and right ankle disabilities have been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records, arrange for a VA examination, and provide a medical nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his current foot and ankle conditions and his active service.
The deciding factor: The August 2014 VA opinion did not account for all of the Veteran's diagnosed pathology near the ankle and did not explain why pre-existing residuals were not aggravated by service. The case is remanded to provide a new medical nexus opinion that addresses these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral feet, right ankle laceration injury, left foot and ankle
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18143066
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 18143066.
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 determined that there are duty to assist errors in the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, bilateral feet, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claims must be remanded to correct these errors.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis, bilateral feet began during service and has continued since then. Therefore, service connection is granted.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection claims related to bilateral knees, bilateral feet, tinnitus, OSA, acquired psychiatric disability, and pilonidal cyst.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the veteran's bilateral feet and cold weather injury joint aches, finding no evidence that these conditions were related to military service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.