The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle and left ankle atrophy with traumatic arthritis have been denied by the Board. The maximum schedular evaluation available under applicable diagnostic codes has not been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability ratings are based on limitation of motion, muscle group impairment, and other symptoms related to his service-connected conditions, which are all addressed in the current rating schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, Left ankle atrophy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1612965
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 1612965.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle prior to July 5, 2018, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for SMC higher than (m) plus (k) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under section 1114(o). The Veteran has more than one disability rated at 100 percent, but does not have two or more separate and distinct disabilities that would qualify him for SMC rates listed in subsections (l) through (n).
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, right and left knee chondromalacia, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period from June 2, 2008.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's GERD and hypothyroidism have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial disability ratings for these conditions.,For his hypothyroidism, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating from August 29, 2007, to October 12, 2009, and denied any increase in rating prior to this period and since October 13, 2009.
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