The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an anxiety disorder and residuals of a neck injury including degenerative cervical spondylosis as secondary to right ankle degenerative arthritis, and also denied his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right ankle degenerative arthritis. The VA examinations indicated that the right ankle disability was manifested by marked limitation of motion with constant pain, swelling, instability, weakness, catching, clicking, and popping.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's neck injury residuals were not related to his service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis, and that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for the right ankle disability. The VA examinations indicated that the right ankle disability was manifested by marked limitation of motion with constant pain, swelling, instability, weakness, catching, clicking, and popping.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorder, residuals of a neck injury including degenerative cervical spondylosis, right ankle degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2007
- Citation
- 0709359
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 0709359.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the VA audiological examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded for an adequate VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is also remanded as there are insufficient competent medical evidence on file.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, specifically anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, which is found to be due to military sexual trauma experienced during service. The decision also notes that the Veteran's reports of in-service personal assault are credible and supported by medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The claim for service connection for residuals of a concussion is remanded.
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