The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left ankle fracture or a separate rating for his degenerative disc disease at L3-L4, status post laminectomy and diskectomy.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records provided no evidence of ankylosis, malunion, nonunion, or severe impairment that would warrant a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent and 10 percent ratings for his left ankle fracture and knee disorder, respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Fracture, Degenerative Disc Disease at L3-L4 (status post laminectomy and diskectomy)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2005
- Citation
- 0512239
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 0512239.
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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