The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury of the left foot with degenerative arthritis warrant a 20 percent disability rating, effective from April 26, 2000. A separate 10 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is also granted. The evidence does not support referral for extraschedular consideration.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury of the left foot with degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as they are productive of no more than moderately severe impairment, and his left ankle disorder is separately rated based on its specific manifestations. The evidence does not indicate that the veteran's disabilities present such an exceptional or unusual picture to render impracticable the application of the regular schedular rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the left foot, strained left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2002
- Citation
- 0217708
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 0217708.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in January 2025, stating that his feet are much better since he had surgeries and do not want to continue the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left foot disabilities due to outstanding private treatment records from Dr. Groner that have not been obtained.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and other foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 20, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left foot disability was denied. The Board also remanded the claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence.
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