The Veteran's left ankle disability has been granted a 20 percent rating since November 19, 2008.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed limited motion of the left ankle with dorsiflexion at or below 5 degrees and plantar flexion between 35 to 40 degrees. The Veteran reported pain and functional loss due to repetitive use over time, which significantly limited his ability to stand for prolonged periods.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1756878
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 1756878.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities were denied in a December 2006 rating decision. The Veteran filed new claims on July 14, 2011, which were denied again in November 2015. The Board found the December 2017 VA Form 9 was timely received, granting service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities effective March 19, 2018. The Veteran's claims are now remanded due to a lack of adequate examination regarding his bilateral knee flare-ups.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent effective June 1, 2020. The left knee and ankle degenerative joint diseases are remanded for further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability are not properly addressed due to a lack of medical examination or opinion. The claims are being remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee DJD prior to September 8, 2003 and a rating in excess of 20 percent from September 8, 2003 to December 1, 2019. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for his left knee disability starting from December 1, 2019.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.