The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for each of the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, effective from May 5, 2014 to January 21, 2018. Prior to this date, the ratings were 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted throughout the appeal period consistently showed moderate limitation of motion in both ankles, with some evidence of painful motion and functional impairment due to pain on movement. The May 2014 examination provided additional findings indicating marked limitation of motion, which warranted a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Arthritis, Left Ankle Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 11, 2018
- Citation
- 1828678
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 1828678.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right tarsal tunnel syndrome prior to May 8, 2025, and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The other claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for GERD and a 50 percent evaluation for cluster headaches, but denied an increased rating for right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent evaluation for external hemorrhoids effective May 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his right ankle disability is denied. For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 30 percent for right ankle ankylosis with tenosynovitis status post arthrodesis is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC from November 20, 2020 due to his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder. The effective date for these benefits is set as of the date he filed his VA Form 21-8940 application.
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