The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left ankle and right knee disabilities has been dismissed.,An initial rating higher than 10 percent prior to August 9, 2016 for the Veteran’s left ankle disability is denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected left ankle and right knee disabilities is remanded.
The deciding factor: The effective date appeal has been resolved in favor of the Veteran as there are no allegations of error regarding the effective dates for service connection.,There is insufficient evidence to support a higher rating for the left ankle disability prior to August 9, 2016. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- Achilles tendonitis of the left ankle, pes anserine bursitis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18155944
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 18155944.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral ankle tendonitis and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and knee conditions, achilles tendonitis, and sinusitis, have precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 26, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these disabilities prevented her from working.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete records and need for a VA retrospective medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Achilles tendonitis of the left ankle and pes anserine bursitis of the right knee, finding that these conditions are related to service.
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