The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder DJD, and TDIU. The evidence did not support the presence of a current left ankle or right shoulder disability that was related to service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not show a diagnosed left ankle condition or pain rising to the level of functional impairment sufficient to warrant service connection. For the right shoulder DJD, while there were complaints and some limitations in range of motion, these did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle condition, right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19130199
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral foot conditions to ensure proper notice and an opportunity for a VA examination.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left foot swelling/pain, a left ankle condition, and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right foot disability, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The appeals for service connection of prostate cancer, diabetes, GERD, and hypertension were dismissed due to the RO's subsequent grant of these conditions.
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