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Whole decision: Denied

The veteran's service-connected mandible and ankle disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating. The compound fracture of the left mandible is rated as 10 percent disabling, while the simple fracture of the right condylar neck remains noncompensable. For the period prior to May 1, 2003, there was no compensable evaluation for the history of chip fracture in the right distal fibula. Beginning May 1, 2003, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected mandible and ankle disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of evidence of severe nonunion or moderate impairment with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. The history of chip fracture, right distal fibula has been rated as noncompensable prior to May 1, 2003, and a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted beginning May 1, 2003.

Claimed conditions
Compound fracture of left mandible, Simple fracture of condylar neck of right mandible
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
October 2, 2008
Citation
0833972

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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0833972.

What this means for you

A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.

What you can do next

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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