The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the current left and right ankle conditions to service, including as secondary to a service-connected condition. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no relationship between any current degenerative left ankle condition and the sprain in service, and suggested that the pathology present in both ankles is bilateral with more prominence on the right side.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a left ankle fracture, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0635164
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 0635164.
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 a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left hand and right hand essential tremors, as well as increased ratings for knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle. The appeal was denied for a left ankle disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and left ear hearing loss, while dismissing the appeals for atopic dermatitis with folliculitis, migraine headaches, right ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of both ankles, and left hip coxa saltans.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
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.