The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral shin splints and ankle conditions due to a failure by the AOJ to consider the ameliorative effects of medications used to treat the Veteran's disabilities. The VA must provide adequate examinations that address the severity of her service-connected bilateral shin and ankle conditions, considering the ameliorative effects of any medication taken.
The deciding factor: The Board found inadequate the previous VA examinations as they did not consider the ameliorative effects of medications used to treat the Veteran's disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left shin splints, right shin splints, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, right ankle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26007731
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 A26007731.
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 Board has granted service connection for left and right shin splints, as well as an ulcer condition (duodenal ulcer), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right ankle disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, left and right shin splints, and left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle strain and right foot condition, finding no current disability related to service.
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