The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The issues include determining appropriate disability ratings for these conditions and evaluating whether a reduction in the rating for left ankle disability from 30% to 10% was proper.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The issues are intertwined with the propriety of a reduction in the rating for left ankle disability from 30% to 10%, so they must be remanded together.
- Claimed conditions
- Right hip limitation of abduction and rotation, Right hip limitation of flexion, Left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, Left knee strain, Left ankle post-operative arthroscopic ligament repair and bone debridement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18151466
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 18151466.
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 has granted service connection for cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
- Denied
The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee strains with shin splints due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities, including during flare-ups.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted based on the evidence provided.
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