The Veteran's right ankle disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent under the Diagnostic Code for limitation of motion of the ankle (DC 5271), does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other impairment warranting such. The Veteran retains mobility in his ankle joint and therefore, cannot recover under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ankle disability does not manifest ankylosis, which would be required to warrant a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5270. Additionally, the Veteran's current rating of 20 percent is already at the maximum schedular rating for limitation of motion of the ankle.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1750773
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1750773.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes a Brostrom reconstruction and right ankle sprain, is currently rated at 10 percent prior to November 14, 2024. The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the entire period on appeal based on marked limited motion of the right ankle.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of his hands or feet, nor does he have a severe burn injury. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted restoration of the Veteran's ratings for his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities from 30% to 10%, effective November 1, 2020.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for ED was denied as there is no current disability.,Right carpal tunnel syndrome was denied due to insufficient evidence linking it to the TERA exposure.,Left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,Right ankle sprain and left foot pes planus were both denied because there is no current disability.,Right foot pes planus was denied due to lack of evidence.,Non-diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity was denied as it is currently diagnosed as right carpal tunnel syndrome.
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