The VA determined that the appellant's left ankle disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher evaluation as there was no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would allow for a higher rating. The clinical evidence did not show distinct time periods where the service-connected disability exhibited symptoms warranting different ratings.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the appellant's left ankle disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion, does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent due to lack of evidence supporting higher evaluations based on other diagnostic codes or conditions such as ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle injury with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2010
- Citation
- 1039820
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1039820.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who conducted the ankle examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the other issue.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) for loss of use of one foot as a result of left ankle injury with degenerative joint disease was denied, and the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for this type of compensation. The claim for TDIU prior to October 5, 2017, is remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including securing treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran also requested a Travel Board hearing.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because an adequate substantive appeal was not filed.
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