The Board remands the case for additional development as there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives.
The deciding factor: There was insufficient evidence to determine the severity of the Veteran's bilateral ankle and right knee disabilities, necessitating another remand for further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis, left ankle sprain with instability, right knee internal derangement status post posterior collateral ligament tear with limited painful motion prior to November 22, 2016, right knee internal derangement status post posterior collateral ligament tear with limited extension as of November 22, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent as of July 1, 2021, right knee internal derangement status post posterior collateral ligament tear with limited painful motion of flexion as of July 1, 2021
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2024
- Citation
- 24000647
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 increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
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- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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