The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, right hip disorder (secondary to the left ankle disorder), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to environmental exposures while in Southwest Asia.,For the left ankle disorder, the Veteran's service treatment records show no diagnosis of an avulsion fracture but mention left Achilles tendonitis. The examiner concluded it is less likely than not related to service.,Regarding the right hip disorder, there was no examination provided by VA and the Board has remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to the left ankle disorder or due to environmental exposures while in Southwest Asia.,For GERD, the Veteran's STRs do not mention frequent indigestion or heartburn. The examiner concluded that it is less likely than not related to service and environmental exposures.
The deciding factor: The claims are remanded as there were insufficient medical opinions provided for each condition and a VA examination was needed.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle disorder, right hip disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2023
- Citation
- A23030384
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 A23030384.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a failure to provide notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
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