The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ankle arthritis and the preponderance of evidence shows that his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The claim is denied.
The deciding factor: There is no x-ray evidence of right ankle arthritis, and the Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture residuals are currently evaluated as 20% disabling based on marked limited motion with painful scar but without limitation due to scarring or ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 29, 2013
- Citation
- 1317528
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 1317528.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right tarsal tunnel syndrome prior to May 8, 2025, and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The other claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for GERD and a 50 percent evaluation for cluster headaches, but denied an increased rating for right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent evaluation for external hemorrhoids effective May 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his right ankle disability is denied. For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 30 percent for right ankle ankylosis with tenosynovitis status post arthrodesis is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC from November 20, 2020 due to his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder. The effective date for these benefits is set as of the date he filed his VA Form 21-8940 application.
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.