The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. His left ankle fracture residuals are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The back and right knee disorders were found to be unrelated to his service-connected left ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any additional impairment of the Veteran's left ankle that would warrant an increased rating beyond 20 percent, and there was no evidence linking his back or right knee conditions to his service-connected left ankle fracture.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a Left Ankle Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 21, 2015
- Citation
- 1535941
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 1535941.
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 determined that the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture are due to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or on account of being housebound has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's service-connected hypertension, asbestosis, and residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The veteran does not have any compensable ratings for his other conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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