The Veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis in the left ankle was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and there is no presumption for such a condition. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's left ankle sprain was related to the fall in service because X-rays show the same objective evidence of arthritis in both ankles, even though the right ankle was not injured in service.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis, left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2010
- Citation
- 1042205
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 1042205.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The issues on appeal were about increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions, as well as TDIU.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including arthritis of the right and left ankles, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea syndrome. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for hypertension.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decision was made on the merits of any claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require regular assistance of another person, meeting the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.
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.