The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left ankle impairment and service connection for limb girdle muscular dystrophy, finding that his symptoms most closely approximated a 20 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions supported the current 20 percent disability rating based on the Veteran's reported symptoms of pain, decreased range of motion, and weakness without ankylosis or other disabling conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle impairment, limb girdle muscular dystrophy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2015
- Citation
- 1543083
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 1543083.
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: Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for service connection and higher rating was dismissed because the veteran withdrew their appeal.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted, but the claim for left elbow secondary radial head dislocation status post open reduction internal fixation was denied. The claims for polyneuropathy and ankle impairments were remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims for pes planus, hearing loss, back impairment, left ankle impairment, right ankle impairment, tinnitus, and left finger impairment are all being remanded for further development.,New and relevant evidence has been submitted in support of the Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, hearing loss, back impairment, left ankle impairment, right ankle impairment, tinnitus, and left finger impairment. These claims will be reconsidered.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The left ankle impairment claim is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective July 25, 2019. Service connection for back, left shoulder, and somatic disorders are also being remanded.
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