The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her current diagnosis of bilateral ankle strain, which she contends was caused by in-service events such as shin splints and an August 2000 motor vehicle accident. A new addendum opinion is needed from a VA clinician to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current disability is related to her service.
The deciding factor: The Board found the existing medical evidence insufficient to establish a link between the Veteran's current bilateral ankle strain and her in-service complaints or events, necessitating further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral ankle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2024
- Citation
- 24033798
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 24033798.
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 obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity serving as an intermediary step.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, bilateral ankle strain, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and back strain have been dismissed without prejudice due to the Veteran's request to withdraw these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the decision on appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis but denied service connection for a left shoulder disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.