The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left Achilles tendon rupture is being remanded due to the need to decide if his surviving spouse can be recognized as a substitute claimant.
The deciding factor: The decision was made based on the need to determine if the appellant widow can be recognized as the substitute claimant for her deceased husband's pending appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- left achilles tendon rupture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19168092
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19168092.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied higher initial ratings for left and right achilles tendon ruptures, bilateral hearing loss, and right ankle scar but granted a 10 percent rating for painful right ankle scar and service connection for adjustment disorder.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal regarding the increase rating for left achilles tendon rupture, post-repair. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and needs to obtain treatment records from a private orthopedist.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include bilateral pes planus, right knee strain, left achilles tendon rupture, painful scar associated with left achilles tendon rupture repair, and left foot surgical scar. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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