The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his right and left ankle disorders, as well as his right and left knee arthritis, have been denied. The highest schedular rating available for the right ankle disorder is 40 percent due to ankylosis, which is already assigned. For the left ankle arthritis, there is not more than a moderate limitation of motion. For the right and left knee disorders, prior to October 30, 2014, neither knee showed limitations in extension or flexion that would warrant higher ratings. Since October 30, 2014, the Veteran's knees do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to increased ratings based on the current level of disability and symptomatology as it pertains to the service-connected right and left ankle disorders and knee arthritis. The schedular criteria adequately describe the severity and symptoms associated with these conditions, thus no extraschedular evaluation is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Disorder, Left Ankle Arthritis, Right Knee Arthritis, Left Knee Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1601910
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 1601910.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to August 12, 2013 was denied as his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating from April 1, 2016 was denied as he is already receiving the maximum allowable disability rating of 60 percent for total right knee replacement.
- Granted
The Veteran's left total knee replacement with left knee arthritis and scar, status post left knee arthroscopy, are granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective February 28, 2025.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, and it is not etiologically related to a service-connected condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for PTSD was not granted, and the claims for left foot neuropathy, right foot neuropathy, left knee arthroplasty and rheumatoid arthritis, and right knee arthritis were also denied.
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