The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle strain, left knee strain with degenerative spurring of the patella, and atrophic hole in the left retina. The rating for bilateral tinea pedis was found to be noncompensable as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The rating for hammertoe of the left 5th toe was also found to be noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions were rated based on their current manifestations and the impact they have on his daily activities, with consideration given to the functional loss due to pain, weakness, excess fatigability, or incoordination. The Board determined that a higher rating was warranted for some of these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle strain, left knee strain with degenerative spurring of the patella, left hip strain, atrophic hole in the left retina, bilateral tinea pedis, hammertoe of the left 5th toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1602352
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 1602352.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hip strain as secondary to lumbosacral strain have been granted. The claim for left hip strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether it was caused or aggravated by the service-connected lumbosacral strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle strain, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted active service and was not aggravated by service. The appeal is dismissed.
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