The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or malunion of the tibia and fibula, which would warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's ankle disabilities did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other functional loss due to pain, weakness, excess fatigability, or incoordination. The flat feet were rated as moderate with no evidence of marked deformity, swelling, or severe spasm.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, Right Ankle Strain with Calcified Achilles Tendon, Left Ankle Traumatic Arthritis, Bilateral Flat Feet, Left Knee Chondromalacia with Calcified Osteochondral Body in the Joint, Right Knee Strain, Right Wrist Degenerative Joint Disease of the First Metacarpal Phalangeal Joint (Major Arm)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2010
- Citation
- 1016595
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 1016595.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, denied ratings in excess of 30 percent for left and right knee strains, granted separate 10 percent ratings for painful, noncompensable limitation of flexion of the knees, granted service connection for back condition and related radiculopathies, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right shoulder condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for remanding certain service connection claims.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective March 27, 2024. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hand, left ankle strain, and right knee strain were remanded.
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