The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral ankle disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and are not secondary to any service-connected disorder.
The deciding factor: The STRs for both periods of service were entirely negative for complaints, findings, or diagnoses relating to the ankles. The Veteran's currently diagnosed ankle disorders were not shown during service or within one year post-service, and there is no evidence of arthritis in either ankle. The Board found that continuity of symptomatology was not established.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral ankle disorders
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2010
- Citation
- 1008764
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 1008764.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, gastrointestinal disorder, and hypertension was withdrawn by the appellant. The TDIU rating claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle disorders, diabetes mellitus, type II, a heart disorder, a right shoulder disorder, hypertension, a low back disorder, bladder cancer, and left and right lung disease, to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's toxic exposure during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete personnel records, including those related to a court-martial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral leg disorders, back disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders to obtain further VA medical opinions addressing all theories of entitlement and evidence of record.
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