The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to July 17, 2001 for residuals of a left ankle fracture and denied the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent. The RO granted a 20% disability rating effective July 17, 2002 based on VA clinical records showing increased severity of symptoms.
The deciding factor: VA had no factual knowledge of increased disability prior to July 17, 2002, the date appellant reported new bone growth at the screw site in his ankle.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2004
- Citation
- 0432369
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 0432369.
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 Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture are rated at 20 percent disabling since May 22, 2014, which is the maximum schedular rating for limited motion of the ankle.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 1, 2021.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied in part. The left knee strain is rated at 10% for limitation of extension and flexion, while the left ankle disability (prior to April 10, 2017) remains rated at 10%. However, since April 10, 2017, a rating of 30% has been granted for ankylosis of the left ankle.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle fracture disability is granted a 20% rating effective January 13, 2015. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.
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