The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right ankle status post-surgery and right Achilles scar, finding that the symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed moderate to no limitation of motion or instability, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Ankle, Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19106733
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,960 · Granted: 36% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19106733.
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 a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 6, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a combined effects opinion is necessary to sufficiently address the Veteran's claim for TDIU.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, left knee, urinary, and scar disabilities as there is no persuasive evidence that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his period of honorable military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.
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