The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is granted, and his left ankle injury residuals are rated at the lowest possible rating of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records show degenerative changes in the spine that were initially noted during service. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service for the Veteran's back disability, but did not find such evidence for his left ankle injury residuals.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, left ankle injury residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 24, 2013
- Citation
- 1313722
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 1313722.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeals for effective date prior to April 4, 2017 for TDIU and higher extraschedular ratings for left foot pes planus and left ankle injury residuals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim to restore a 20 percent schedular rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative arthritis with kyphotic angulation, effective December 1, 2024.
- Granted
An effective date prior to December 29, 2016, for the award of a 10% rating for left great toe fracture residuals is denied.,A rating in excess of 10% for left great toe fracture residuals is denied.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The issues include higher extraschedular ratings, a separate compensable rating, and TDIU prior to April 4, 2017.
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