The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle condition and remanded the issue of service connection for low back sprain. The Veteran's current right ankle symptomatology is not attributable to her in-service injury, while her low back symptoms may be related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the current right ankle symptomatology was less likely due to an in-service injury and more likely a result of other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. For the low back issue, the Board noted insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle condition, Low back sprain (also claimed as back injury residuals)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20023665
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 20023665.
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 service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU. The issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn by the appellant.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted a 10 percent disability rating, and his service-connected headaches are granted as secondary to his TBI.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted, but his bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service, as well as the ameliorative effects of medication on his left shoulder disability. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to address these issues.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.