The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for his service-connected right ankle disability have been denied. The RO has assigned a 20 percent evaluation, effective May 13, 1998.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the assignment of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to May 13, 1998, and no earlier effective date is warranted due to lack of specific statutory authority for such a retroactive determination.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle sprain, Avulsion fractures at medial and lateral malleoli
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2001
- Citation
- 0127054
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 0127054.
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: Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right ankle sprain with pain and limitations in mobility, finding that his symptoms are functionally equivalent to ankylosis. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as there is no evidence of actual ankylosis or ankylosis equivalent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the appellant's right ankle sprain is related to an injury sustained during service and grants the claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on several issues, including right ankle sprain and lumbosacral strain, has been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.
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