The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and examination findings. Service connection was also denied for left knee and hip disabilities as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease resulted in moderate limitation of motion, but did not demonstrate ankylosis or other disabling conditions such as malunion or astragalectomy. The Veteran's symptoms were noted to be related to flare-ups and pain management, without significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Knee Disability (not service-connected), Left Hip Disability (not service-connected)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2014
- Citation
- 1452239
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 1452239.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities were denied in a December 2006 rating decision. The Veteran filed new claims on July 14, 2011, which were denied again in November 2015. The Board found the December 2017 VA Form 9 was timely received, granting service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities effective March 19, 2018. The Veteran's claims are now remanded due to a lack of adequate examination regarding his bilateral knee flare-ups.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent effective June 1, 2020. The left knee and ankle degenerative joint diseases are remanded for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability are not properly addressed due to a lack of medical examination or opinion. The claims are being remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee DJD prior to September 8, 2003 and a rating in excess of 20 percent from September 8, 2003 to December 1, 2019. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for his left knee disability starting from December 1, 2019.
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