The veteran's claims for higher ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right and left ankles with shin splints are denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's ankle disabilities, which are rated under Diagnostic Codes 5010 (traumatic arthritis) and 5271 (limitation of motion), do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other specific diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- traumatic arthritis, shin splints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2008
- Citation
- 0839601
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 0839601.
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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and shin splints due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination. The case is now pending with a request for a new opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for service-connected right ankle with traumatic arthritis (claimed as right ankle instability). The Board dismissed the appeal.
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