The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right ankle disability and lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for vasovagal syncope is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for reopening his previous denial on lumbar spine disability was not successful as new and material evidence was not submitted within one year of the September 2017 rating decision.
The deciding factor: For the right ankle, there is no credible evidence to support a current diagnosis or service connection. For the lumbar spine, the claim was denied due to lack of nexus between in-service complaints and current disability.,The vasovagal syncope claim requires clarification on whether it began during service or if related to pre-existing conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle disability, Lumbar spine disability (arthritis), Vasovagal syncope (cardiovascular disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21021523
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 21021523.
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 Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 10, 1997, for a 10% disability rating for his right ankle disability is denied as there was no CUE in the previous decisions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his service. The VA examiner must provide an opinion on this matter.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals to reduce disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disabilities. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination regarding the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The claim for a compensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied.
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