The Board has granted service connection for chronic right ankle instability and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The claim of initial rating for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has been granted.
The deciding factor: The VA joints examiner diagnosed the veteran with chronic bilateral ankle instability, which is considered a chronic right ankle disability during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Instability, Left Hand Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2003
- Citation
- 0331501
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 0331501.
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.
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- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The appeals need to be addressed with new VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, feed himself, and perform daily activities. He is also not considered housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.
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