The veteran's left ankle and heel disability was increased to a 40 percent evaluation effective February 23, 2000, based on the severity of his symptoms including chronic pain, tendinitis, ankylosis subtalar motion, and cystic linear swelling along the posterior tibial tendon.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability was characterized by chronic left ankle pain, tendinitis, ankylosis subtalar articulation motion (loss of inversion and eversion), and cystic linear swelling along the posterior tibial tendon, which warranted a higher evaluation than previously assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis, Residuals of old fracture at posterior portion of joint between talus and calcaneum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2002
- Citation
- 0202230
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 0202230.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Veteran's service-connected conditions, including traumatic arthritis and thoracolumbar spine status post fusion, have resulted in the effective loss of use of both feet. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to these conditions. Additionally, the Veteran is also receiving SMC at the housebound rate based on his 100% disability rating from traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine status post fusion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete evidence, including VA treatment records not being associated with his file. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis was denied as his disability is already at the maximum schedular evaluation available.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right foot injury, which included a puncture wound and traumatic arthritis, was granted an initial rating of 10 percent from February 27, 2015 to November 7, 2019.
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