The Board has dismissed the appeals for disability evaluations and service connection due to improper claims processing. The cellulitis claim is remanded as a medical examination was not conducted.
The deciding factor: A medical examination was not conducted, which constitutes a duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- spiral fracture of the left tibia and fibula with loss of function of muscle, healed osteomyelitis, and marked ankle deformity, left mid and lower back strain (thoracolumbar strain), left foot metatarsalgia, deficiency of left ACL with deformity of proximal fibula, thickening and irregularity of tibia with callus formation beneath the left toes
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26036037
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 A26036037.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection and increased ratings for PTSD, sleep apnea, right knee disability, limitation of left knee extension, limitation of left knee flexion, and left shoulder disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lower back disability and left foot metatarsalgia, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her active duty service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service injury or aggravation.
- Granted
The Veteran's left foot metatarsalgia is granted as secondary to his service-connected left foot Lisfranc fracture and other disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU benefits from December 1, 2023 are denied due to his employment as a government tax collector.
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