The Veteran's service-connected right ankle arthritis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability, presumed secondary to his service-connected right tibia fracture, also warrants service connection. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis in both hips are all granted with specific evaluations.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner noted that the right ankle is a residual of the same condition as the service-connected right tibia fracture, supporting the secondary service connection claim for left knee disability. The Veteran's other disabilities were evaluated based on their severity and symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle arthritis, Left knee disability (presumed secondary to service-connected right tibia fracture)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2012
- Citation
- 1243152
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 1243152.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes arthritis and tendonitis, is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for the entire appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to issues with the rating assigned for right ankle instability and arthritis. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to significantly impact his ability to use his ankle, requiring a brace and cane.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for single episode major depressive disorder with anxious distress, somatic symptom disorder, and alcohol use disorder; right ankle arthritis; and bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right foot heel spur. The claims for recurrent hip disabilities, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament repair residuals, and TDIU were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased rating due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.
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