The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating for a total left ankle replacement with failed fusion. The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code. Additionally, the Veteran has not been shown to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent and no additional schedular ratings are available as he does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes. The Board also finds that a TDIU is not warranted as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1736716
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 1736716.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for left ankle disability residuals, finding that his current condition is due to an in-service injury and granting the benefit of the doubt.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle disability and headache disorder secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder have been granted increased ratings, effective September 16, 2018.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the increase in severity of his conditions was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to March 30, 2023.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for left knee instability and right knee instability are also denied.
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