The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion or ankylosis, and thus denied a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no indication of malunion of any part of the ankle joints or ankylosis, and limited range of motion was at most moderate in nature.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19182943
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ankle degenerative arthritis and remanded claims for a compensable evaluation for headaches, service connection for status post left total knee arthroplasty, and service connection for status post right total knee arthroplasty.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and assigned a 100% rating. The left ankle degenerative arthritis was rated at 30% from October 1, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating greater than 20 percent for IVDS with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, a rating greater than 10 percent for right ankle degenerative arthritis, and entitlement to TDIU prior to January 7, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and requires new VA examinations.
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