The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent was upheld for the left ankle disability, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other manifestations warranting a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left ankle disability did not meet criteria for additional ratings based on ankylosis, malunion of the os calcis or astralagus, or functional equivalent thereof. The maximum schedular rating was therefore upheld.
- Claimed conditions
- Lateral ligamentous instability of the left ankle, Bilateral hearing loss, Left knee disability (secondary to left ankle disability), Left hip disability (secondary to left ankle disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 7, 2016
- Citation
- 1627088
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 1627088.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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