The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded all other issues on appeal due to the need for additional development of the Veteran's service treatment records.
The deciding factor: New evidence was submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, specifically the in-service incurrence of a left ankle disability. The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is required to comply with previous remand orders and VA's duty to assist.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle disability, right ankle disability, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), disability of the thoracolumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left knee disability, right knee disability, right foot disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21076730
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 21076730.
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 Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
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