The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right and left ankles have been denied. The RO found that the service-connected right ankle disability caused a left ankle condition, but did not grant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent or 20 percent respectively.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and outpatient treatment records do not support the assignment of higher ratings for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the ankles.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Ankle, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Ankle
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2011
- Citation
- 1117433
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 1117433.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle DJD and instability are each rated at 20 percent, with the instability issue being granted. The rating for DJD remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in its previous decision regarding a rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle. The Veteran's testimony during his May 2013 hearing was not adequately addressed, and the Court ordered additional development including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal with respect to PTSD, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus (reopened) and tension headaches have been granted. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease have been granted. The service connection is established based on direct evidence of the conditions during active duty.
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