The veteran's left ankle disorder is currently rated as 20 percent disabling due to marked limitation of motion. The maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The veteran contends that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected left ankle disability and seeks a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, the evidence does not support this claim as there are no disabilities rated at 60 percent or more, nor sufficient additional disabilities to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more.
The deciding factor: The veteran's left ankle disorder is currently rated based on limitation of motion and does not meet the criteria for a higher schedular rating. Additionally, there are no other service-connected disabilities that would allow for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 25, 2005
- Citation
- 0520276
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 0520276.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination report and failure to consider the effects of medication on the Veteran's left ankle disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for major depressive disorder, left ankle fracture, and left knee strain was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his major depressive disorder or an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle fracture. However, he is granted service connection for the left knee strain as secondary to his right knee strain.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right hip condition, including need for replacement, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the September 21, 2005 rating decision.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.