The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left eye laceration claim was not granted due to lack of disfigurement characteristics, while the right ankle issue did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no characteristic of disfigurement in the left eye scar and noted that the Veteran's right ankle had only mild limitation of motion without any ankylosis or other significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye laceration, medial malleolar fracture, right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2018
- Citation
- 1800417
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 1800417.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected knee disabilities, but denied service connection for a variety of other conditions including bilateral ankle, shoulder, foot, mood disorder, tinnitus, hyperlipidemia, and knees.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle conditions to correct a duty to assist error, requiring medical opinions on their relationship to the Veteran's service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability to obtain an addendum opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, low back, right ankle, and right knee disabilities secondary to bilateral pes planus due to a need for additional medical opinions.
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