The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not address all left ankle disorders found in the record, including but not limited to intra-articular loose body within tibiotalar joint and minimal degenerative changes. The case is therefore remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: The September 2020 remand directives were not substantially complied with as the VA examiner did not address all left ankle disorders found in the record, including but not limited to intra-articular loose body within tibiotalar joint and minimal degenerative changes.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent), intra-articular loose body within tibiotalar joint, minimal degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21010745
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 21010745.
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 left and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) to allow the Regional Office to readjudicate them based on all evidence of record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and fracture is being remanded due to the need to advise the Veteran of the revised rating criteria for limitation of motion of the ankle under diagnostic code 5271, as well as address evidence of instability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left ankle disorders are related to his active service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including left knee arthralgia and minimal degenerative changes, is related to service.
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