The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are manifested by complaints of pain, weakness, and lack of endurance, with some functional impairment in daily activities during flare-ups. The medical evidence does not support a higher rating for the right or left ankle disabilities.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows moderate limitation of motion but no additional loss of motion after repetitive use testing, which is insufficient to warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral ankle instability, left ankle hyperlaxity disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2015
- Citation
- 1535107
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1535107.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. The issue of service connection for bilateral ankle instability is remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome and bilateral ankle instability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, characterized by reduced range of motion, is found to be due to service-connected ankle sprains. The Board grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected and was not caused by his service-connected bilateral claw feet. The non-healing neuropathic plantar ulcer, right first toe, status post partial amputation, is service-connected as secondary to the service-connected bilateral claw feet. Bilateral ankle instability is also service-connected as secondary to the service-connected bilateral claw feet.
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