The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his right ankle, donor site scar, and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows marked limitation of motion with pain but no ankylosis. The bone graft donor site scar results in decreased sensation without tenderness warranting only a 10% evaluation. The left knee disability is currently evaluated as slight and does not meet criteria for higher evaluations under other relevant diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Status Post Subtalar Fusion, Right Ankle, Bone Graft Donor Site Scar of Right Iliac Crest, Residuals of a Left Knee Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 22, 2000
- Citation
- 0030452
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 0030452.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board has reopened the claims for residuals of a left knee injury, hemorrhoids, sleep apnea (recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder), and PTSD. However, service connection cannot be established as the Veteran's conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by military service.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral ankle arthritis or a left knee disorder, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a left knee injury, and hypertension due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors and failure to establish a nexus between current disabilities and military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a lip laceration, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral ankle disability. The veteran's in-service stressors are recognized as credible.
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.