The Veteran's initial evaluations for right and left ankle strains were granted at 20 percent, but no higher. The claim for an increased evaluation of major depressive disorder was also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's ankle conditions met the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5271 (ankle strain) due to marked limitation of motion in both ankles.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle strain, Right ankle strain with achilles tendinitis (ankle strain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19111971
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,963 · Granted: 32% (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 19111971.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and left ankle strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for a left ankle strain and limitation of extension and flexion of the left knee have been granted. The rating for limitation of flexion is subject to further review.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right ankle conditions are rated at a 20 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, effective January 23, 2020.
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