The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle. The opinion from the Independent Medical Expert concluded that the preexisting left ankle disability was aggravated during service.
The deciding factor: An independent medical expert opined that the veteran's pre-existing left ankle disability was aggravated by his in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2002
- Citation
- 0212855
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 0212855.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The TDIU claim is also being reconsidered.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle, finding that it more nearly approximates marked limitation of motion. The effective date is to be determined by the RO.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of outstanding treatment records.
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