The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability caused or aggravated his left knee, left ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities. The examiner is to consider obesity as a potential intermediate factor.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability caused or aggravated his left knee, left ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities, including considering whether obesity played a role.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease, left knee, Lumbar spondylosis, Left ankle condition
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23064664
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 23064664.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions leave her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle condition existed prior to his military service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to service connection for a left ankle condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, cervical strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to her now service-connected back disability. The decision is based on credible statements of the Veteran regarding continuous symptoms since service and medical opinions supporting a nexus between current disabilities and service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.
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