The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection of residuals of a back injury, residuals of a head injury, and lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection of the left ankle disability is granted as it is in relative equipoise with respect to whether the condition is related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s left ankle disability is related to his time in service, thus granting service connection for this issue.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a back injury, residuals of a head injury, lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21008256
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 21008256.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left ankle sprain is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination conducted in October 2020. The Board will seek an adequate medical examination and consider all relevant evidence before making a decision.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of residuals of a head injury. The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus was granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury and right thumb disability, finding no current disabilities or persistent symptoms related to these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of residuals of a head injury due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination reports.
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