The Veteran's right ankle arthritis and chronic conjunctivitis were granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective from March 12, 2018, for the right ankle condition, and October 5, 2018, for the conjunctivitis. The decision is based on marked limitation of motion in the right ankle and documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 treatment visits per year for the conjunctivitis.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed consistent symptoms of pain and functional loss related to both conditions, which were rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes for musculoskeletal and eye disorders respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle arthritis, Chronic conjunctivitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- A19002900
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,316 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19002900.
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 right ankle disability, which includes arthritis and tendonitis, is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for the entire appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to issues with the rating assigned for right ankle instability and arthritis. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to significantly impact his ability to use his ankle, requiring a brace and cane.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease status post left knee injury, sprain and remanded claims for shoulder disability and OSA.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for single episode major depressive disorder with anxious distress, somatic symptom disorder, and alcohol use disorder; right ankle arthritis; and bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right foot heel spur. The claims for recurrent hip disabilities, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament repair residuals, and TDIU were remanded.
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