The veteran's left ankle arthritis is service-connected. The initial rating for PTSD with dysthymic disorder was granted, but the veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran has no compensable rating for his corneal scar and no rating for his right biceps muscle rupture. Financial assistance claims were denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found degenerative changes in both ankles, confirming service-connected left ankle arthritis. The PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran's corneal scar resulted in only slight disability of the biceps muscle.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2003
- Citation
- 0301908
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,374 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0301908.
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 residuals of TBI have been found to necessitate a higher level of aid and attendance, warranting SMC(t) from January 6, 2015.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, left knee limitation of extension, right ankle arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 29, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.
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