The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new VA examination to assess his current symptoms and severity of service-connected bilateral ankle conditions.
The deciding factor: The decision notes that updated VA medical records are needed, particularly from December 2014 onwards, as well as any private treatment records. A new VA examination is required to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, left ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18148496
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 18148496.
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 claims are being remanded to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, including after his December 2017 surgery. The case will be returned for further review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that further development is needed regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degeneration secondary to right ankle injury. The remand includes requesting a review of the medical records and providing an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed back condition, as well as his service-connected right ankle disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities, specifically right and left ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, have been granted increased ratings. Additionally, a temporary total rating for convalescence after left ankle stabilization surgery from March 28, 2014 to June 2, 2014 has been granted, along with an effective date of March 28, 2014 for the Veteran's left ankle scar.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is found to be the primary cause of his residuals of left femur fracture and left ankle sprain. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.
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