The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle disability and found that new evidence supports this claim. The Board also determined that there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability, and thus denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as 'nervous condition'), specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle disability could not be granted because there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his symptoms are related to service. Service connection was granted for PTSD based on credible lay testimony regarding the onset of symptoms during service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as 'nervous condition')
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0942718
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 0942718.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for a neurological examination to determine if any diagnosed radiculopathy or other neurological disability affecting the lower extremities was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and low back disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for migraines, a left shoulder disability, a right elbow disability, a left wrist disability, and a bilateral ankle disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a bilateral ankle disability, and thyroid nodules with multinodular goiter as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.
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.