The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left ankle condition is related to service. The case will be returned for further development and an updated opinion from a VA examiner.
The deciding factor: The October 2018 VA-contracted examiner’s opinion was based on the absence of treatment records, which may not be sufficient without considering continuity of symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a fractured and/or sprained left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19125402
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 has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a fractured and/or sprained left ankle were not incurred or aggravated during service, as there is no evidence showing such in-service. The condition was first noted years after separation from service and is more consistent with degenerative changes over time.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.