The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis in the left ankle, which prevented a higher rating. Service connection was not granted for neck or lower leg disorders as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected left ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current neck and lower leg disabilities were not shown to be related to his active service or to his service-connected left ankle disability, despite the Veteran's assertions. The Board found no credible evidence supporting a nexus between the claimed disorders and the service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle, Neck disorder (likely cervical spondylosis with anterior claw spurs from C3 to C7), Lower leg disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0942482
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 0942482.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU as of April 11, 2017 and from August 1, 2015 to April 10, 2017. The claim for TDIU prior to August 1, 2015 is denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disorders, including posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle, left ankle, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. As such, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle with ankylosis, finding that the disability was no more than 30 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle disability is found to be service-connected. The initial ratings for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are granted, but with some issues still pending.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.