The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left lower leg, left ankle, and left foot disorders due to lack of evidence showing more than a 10 percent rating for the left lower leg disorder, ankylosis for the left ankle disorder, or severe symptoms for the left foot disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's complaints were not supported by objective medical evidence showing more than mild symptoms at all times during the pendency of the appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Lower Leg Disorder, Left Ankle Disorder, Left Foot Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1744989
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 1744989.
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 service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disorders, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, left ankle disorder, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral knee disorders, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's IBS has been granted a 30 percent initial disability rating. Service connection was denied for other claimed conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and knee disorders, as well as a back disorder. The issues have been remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and left foot disorder due to inadequate etiological opinions provided by VA. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to hazardous noise during active duty, which may be relevant to his claims.
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