The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The reduction in disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was upheld, but the Veteran withdrew his claims for PTSD and TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings beyond 20 percent for the right foot condition or a reduction in disability rating for the right ankle condition. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been withdrawn.
- Claimed conditions
- Crushing injury to the right foot with resultant fracture of the distal phalanx of the right great toe, Degenerative arthritis of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2017
- Citation
- 1757545
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 1757545.
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 Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted initial evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and right leg length discrepancy, while denying an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right hip sprain with impairment of the thigh and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right foot degenerative arthritis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The case is remanded for further development.
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