The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg rash and an increased evaluation for left ankle fracture residuals prior to August 18, 1998. The veteran's claim for increase in the rating of his left ankle disability was granted from August 18, 1998 onwards.,The evidence did not show that the veteran's current skin rash involving the legs is causally or etiologically related to service.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence showing a link between the veteran's current bilateral leg rash and his military service. The Board found that the veteran's skin condition was more likely due to aging process and familial tendency, not related to any in-service injury or disease.,For the period prior to August 18, 1998, there is no evidence of a chronic left ankle disability during service, and the current disability does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral leg rash, Left ankle fracture residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2003
- Citation
- 0304841
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0304841.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left ankle fracture residuals, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 2005. The effective date for the TDIU is set at June 29, 2006.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left ankle fracture residuals was denied. However, the Board granted a separate 10 percent rating from July 25, 2022 for left ankle instability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's asthma with bronchitis and reactive airway disease, left elbow disability, left ankle fracture residuals, hypertension, and left ear hearing loss were all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,The Veteran was denied increased ratings for his asthma, left elbow, left ankle, and hypertension conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle fracture residuals are granted an increased rating of 20 percent. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
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