The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right ankles, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for a left varicocele with SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the assigned DCs.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show intermittent edema or other symptoms that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable DCs.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Ankle, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Ankle, Left Varicocele
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1601923
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 1601923.
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 Veteran's left ankle DJD and instability are each rated at 20 percent, with the instability issue being granted. The rating for DJD remains denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in its previous decision regarding a rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle. The Veteran's testimony during his May 2013 hearing was not adequately addressed, and the Court ordered additional development including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal with respect to PTSD, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus (reopened) and tension headaches have been granted. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease have been granted. The service connection is established based on direct evidence of the conditions during active duty.
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