The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disorder due to the lack of evidence showing chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is remanded as there are insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding the etiology of the condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current right ankle disability and his active duty service due to a lack of evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service. For the psychiatric disorder, the Board noted inadequate opinions from VA examiners that did not address all relevant factors including the Veteran's statements regarding his depression during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Arthritis, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include Major Depressive Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22059413
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 22059413.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right tarsal tunnel syndrome prior to May 8, 2025, and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The other claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for GERD and a 50 percent evaluation for cluster headaches, but denied an increased rating for right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent evaluation for external hemorrhoids effective May 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his right ankle disability is denied. For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 30 percent for right ankle ankylosis with tenosynovitis status post arthrodesis is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC from November 20, 2020 due to his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder. The effective date for these benefits is set as of the date he filed his VA Form 21-8940 application.
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