The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right and left ankles receiving separate evaluations. The Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability prior to August 5, 2011, and on and after that date. He is also entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left ankle disability on and after August 5, 2011.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found mild degenerative changes in both ankles, with the Veteran reporting constant pain and swelling. The right ankle had limited dorsiflexion (to 10 degrees) while the left ankle was not tested due to its condition. Both ankles exhibited tenderness on palpation but no additional functional loss or impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 12, 2015
- Citation
- 1520408
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 1520408.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for a neurological examination to determine if any diagnosed radiculopathy or other neurological disability affecting the lower extremities was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right ankle disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, left and right shin splints, and left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training.
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