The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating of 10 percent for residuals of a left fibula fracture with weakness and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, finding that the increase in severity was first noted on May 25, 2000.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred for the appellant's left ankle disorder was May 25, 2000, and thus denied the claim for an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- left fibula fracture, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 10, 2003
- Citation
- 0323463
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 0323463.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including various musculoskeletal conditions and mental health disorders.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left fibula fracture and avulsion fracture of 5th metatarsal, right foot due to a lack of evidence supporting the presence of these conditions during or after service. The claim for bilateral scratched cornea was remanded for further examination.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for generalized seizure disorder, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and scars, but granted increased ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease in the left and right ankles.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the Veteran's left fibula fracture, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.
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