The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left ankle disorder and an increased rating for his right ankle disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that the current left ankle condition is related to military service or his service-connected disabilities, and also concluded that the current right ankle disability does not warrant an increase in its assigned rating.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current left ankle disorder was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disorder. The VA examiners' opinions were consistent with this conclusion.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle disorder (arthralgia), post fracture degenerative joint disease, right ankle
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 27, 2006
- Citation
- 0605523
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected knee disabilities, but denied service connection for a variety of other conditions including bilateral ankle, shoulder, foot, mood disorder, tinnitus, hyperlipidemia, and knees.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle conditions to correct a duty to assist error, requiring medical opinions on their relationship to the Veteran's service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability to obtain an addendum opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, low back, right ankle, and right knee disabilities secondary to bilateral pes planus due to a need for additional medical opinions.
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