The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is found to be related to his service, warranting service connection. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's low back disability and his period of active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current low back disability was less likely caused by an in-service injury or event.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle condition
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22019915
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 22019915.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left ankle condition have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to posttraumatic headache, insomnia, left ankle condition, lumbosacral strain (lower back), and chest pain. The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims.
- Denied
The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, and left knee condition. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also found to be related to his military service.
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