The Veteran's initial rating for left and right ankle tendonitis with shin splints has been increased to 10 percent, but the appeal remains on for higher ratings.,The Veteran’s low back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disorders are remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show ankylosis, malunion of the os calcis or astragalus, or astragalectomy so DCs 5270, 5272, 5273, and 5274 are not for application.,VA examinations were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran had a congenital disease or defect of the back or hips that was aggravated or subject to a superimposed injury during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle posterior tibial and Achilles tendonitis, Left elbow disorder, Left hip disorder, Left knee disorder, Left leg medial tibial stress syndrome, Low back disorder, Restless leg syndrome, Right ankle posterior tibial and Achilles tendonitis, Right hip disorder, Right knee disorder, Right leg medial tibial stress syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19159197
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 961 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19159197.
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 Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.
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