The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been denied. The left ankle and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating based on additional limitation of motion or instability of the ankles or knees, nor does it meet the criteria for an increased disability rating under other applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Fracture, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2017
- Citation
- 1742640
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 1742640.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee instability and limitation of extension associated with degenerative joint disease are rated at 20 percent from June 14, 2010 to January 11, 2016.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board finds that additional evidence and a new medical opinion are needed to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee recurrent subluxation at the December 2022 VA examination, and further development is needed.
- Granted
The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture are rated at 20 percent disabling since May 22, 2014, which is the maximum schedular rating for limited motion of the ankle.
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