The Board denied an increased evaluation for postoperative arthrotomy of the left knee with residual instability and service-connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran had a left ankle injury in service or that he developed degenerative joint disease of the left ankle within one year after separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative arthrotomy of the left knee with residual instability, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2001
- Citation
- 0125826
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0125826.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for any additional levels of SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including various musculoskeletal conditions and mental health disorders.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for generalized seizure disorder, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and scars, but granted increased ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease in the left and right ankles.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spondylosis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, degenerative joint disease of the ankles, and claims for service connection for knee and hip disabilities. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.
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