The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability, which includes postoperative residuals of a fracture and degenerative joint disease, warrants a combined rating of 40 percent. However, this is not sufficient to grant a higher individual rating for either condition.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding of malunion of the distal fibula with marked ankle disability or ankylosis of the left ankle that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5262 and 5010, respectively. The veteran's range of motion was found to be within normal limits even when pain is considered.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 18, 2002
- Citation
- 0214605
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 0214605.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right ankle disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, left and right shin splints, and left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee disability, tension headaches, a left ankle disability, and a back disability due to the Veteran's death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and a need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's military occupation as a water safety survival instructor.
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