The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and special monthly compensation for aid and attendance/housebound status.,The veteran's service-connected conditions include left ankle fracture, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, hypertension, tinnitus, abdominal aortic aneurysm (right iliac aneurysm, left iliac aneurysm), and bilateral hearing loss. The maximum schedular evaluation for his left ankle fracture is 20 percent.,The veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is 40 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of ankylosis in the left ankle, and therefore, the maximum schedular evaluation (20%) for limitation of motion is appropriate.,The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his combined rating being 40 percent. The Board also noted that the veteran has completed high school and had previous employment in food sales, which may affect his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.,The veteran's Social Security Disability benefits were awarded for aortic aneurysm and deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, but he was not found to be disabled due to service-connected disabilities alone.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the left ankle, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, hypertension, tinnitus, abdominal aortic aneurysm (right iliac aneurysm, left iliac aneurysm), bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2006
- Citation
- 0631004
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 0631004.
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 Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
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.