The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's residual scar of the left ankle, post left Achilles tendon repair, as a 10 percent evaluation was found to be appropriate.
The deciding factor: The August 2005 VA examination indicated that the veteran's left ankle scar is well-healed and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage. The Board found no evidence of a higher rating under other applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual scar of the left ankle, post left Achilles tendon repair, Residual muscle injury of the lower left extremity, post left Achilles tendon repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0908566
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
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