The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and low back disabilities, finding that the current schedular criteria adequately described his disability levels.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings did not support a higher rating based on more severe symptoms or functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle sprain, Degenerative disc disease with right sciatica and a small right L5-S1 paracentral herniated nucleus pulposus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0940585
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 0940585.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for urinary incontinence and left ankle sprain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee tendinitis, left ankle sprain, and a right ankle pain disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is dismissed due to the absence of a decision on the issue.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and has remanded the claims of initial compensable rating for service-connected left knee strain, limitation of flexion, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee strain, limitation of extension.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied it for a left ankle sprain. The remaining claims for left and right hip disabilities, as well as lower back strain, were remanded for further development.
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