The Veteran's left ankle disability is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis.
The deciding factor: Osteoarthritis of the left ankle developed after the Veteran was granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, and it is not shown to be related to service or any other compensable condition. As such, it is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, Right Foot Drop, Left Ankle Disability (Sinusitis), Cervical Spine Stenosis with Osteoarthritis, Lumbar Spinal Degenerative Disc Disease with Osteoarthritis (prior to November 21, 2014), Lumbar Spinal Degenerative Disc Disease with Osteoarthritis (from November 21, 2014), Osteoarthritis of the Right Knee, Osteoarthritis of the Left Knee, Right Shoulder Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis (prior to November 21, 2014), Left Shoulder Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis (from November 21, 2014), Tension Headaches, Right Ankle Scar (Residual of Synovitis and Osteophyte Repair), Radiculopathy and Common Peroneal Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity (prior to November 21, 2014), Radiculopathy and Common Peroneal Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity (from November 21, 2014), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and Radiculopathy of the Right Upper Extremity, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and Radiculopathy of the Left Upper Extremity, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) prior to June 30, 2014, TBI from June 30, 2014 onwards
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2018
- Citation
- 1822777
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 1822777.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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