The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his left ankle arthritis and right knee injury, finding that the current 20 percent and 10 percent ratings are appropriate based on the findings from a 1998 examination.
The deciding factor: The VA found no evidence of instability or other functional impairment warranting a higher rating, and concluded that the veteran's job did not significantly interfere with his ability to work due to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, Post-operative residuals of a right knee injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2000
- Citation
- 0031944
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 0031944.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the character of his discharge. The Board of Correction of Naval Records upgraded his discharge from general court martial to under honorable conditions in February 2008, which allowed him to receive VA benefits. However, an earlier effective date was not granted as it would have been based on when he filed for correction of his military records.
- Denied
The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, and the Veteran's right knee disability is currently evaluated at 10 percent.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is rated at 20 percent, but his right ankle remains at 20 percent without further increase.
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