The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its remand directives and has therefore ordered the cases to be returned for further development. Specifically, an addendum opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service, including carrying excessive weight during physical training in service. Similarly, an addendum opinion is needed on whether his bilateral ankle disabilities are related to his service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the AOJ did not complete the necessary remand directives for examining and opining on the Veteran's left knee and bilateral ankle conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20002138
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal requests.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral or cervical strain was dismissed due to untimeliness, while the other issues were remanded for further evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left knee conditions, denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and denied special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a lower extremity.
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