The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The effective dates for earlier connection claims remain denied.
The deciding factor: The appeal is based on a June 2018 rating decision that granted service connection with effective dates from April 16, 2018, which was more than one year after discharge from active duty. An earlier effective date is not applicable as the claim was received within this timeframe.
- Claimed conditions
- left calf muscle atrophy (group XI) and weakness post Achilles tendon repair, right Achilles tendonitis, left ankle surgical scar, residual from left Achilles rupture post surgical repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2026
- Citation
- 26000699
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 26000699.
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 Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate previous examinations and for an addendum opinion regarding bilateral dry eye syndrome.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial increased rating for bilateral foot disabilities, left Achilles tendonitis, and right Achilles tendonitis to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the effects of medications on the severity of these conditions.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected right and left Achilles tendonitis were granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of both feet was denied.
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.