The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for DJD of the left ankle, a 10 percent evaluation for chronic maxillary sinusitis, and denied compensable ratings for hemorrhoids.
The deciding factor: The veteran's residuals from his inservice fracture of the left ankle include giving away, aching, weakness, stiffness in the morning, limitation of plantar flexion due to pain, and extensive post-traumatic degenerative changes. His maxillary sinusitis is manifested by trouble breathing, constant drainage, frequent headaches, and need for medication. Hemorrhoids are characterized by itching and burning all the time with the use of Preparation H for relief.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic maxillary sinusitis, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left ankle, Hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2005
- Citation
- 0500220
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 680 · Granted: 24% (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 0500220.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrence.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC and aid and attendance special monthly compensation effective May 3, 2024, due to his service-connected conditions that require regular aid and assistance.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and a separate rating of 10 percent for pruritus ani is partially granted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable code, including revised Diagnostic Code 7336.
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