The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination, specifically regarding whether there was loss of range of motion during flare-ups or over time.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the February 2014 VA medical opinion was inadequate as it did not provide sufficient reasoning for the proffered opinion on additional functional loss due to pain and flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle fracture, Chronic pain, Instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20048717
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 20048717.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise a March 1975 rating decision that assigned an initial noncompensable disability rating for service-connected right ankle fracture, finding no CUE in the decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was granted, with a 100% rating for CAD from March 3, 2023 to June 30, 2023, and a 60% rating thereafter. Separate ratings were also assigned for chest scars status post CABG.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle fracture are all granted service connection. The right ankle fracture is remanded for a higher disability rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a cervical spine disorder and chronic pain caused by his surgeries is denied due to lack of fault on the part of VA in recommending or performing the procedures.
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