The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left foot drop is related to his service-connected left hip disability or if it was aggravated by that condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s left foot drop is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left hip and/or back disability, nor did they address whether there has been any aggravation of the condition. The Court's recent decision in Ward v. Wilkie clarified that aggravation does not require a permanent worsening.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot drop
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20034834
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 20034834.
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: Denied
The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's lumbar spine herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left foot drop due to a delay in VA providing timely neurosurgical care.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a TDIU and an increased evaluation for left Achilles tendonitis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered her unable to work during certain periods, but further review is needed.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for right and left foot drop, granted service connection for a right shoulder strain, and denied service connection for TBI. The claim for TDIU was dismissed.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for left foot drop, finding that it was secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ischemic cerebrovascular accident (stroke) residuals.
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.