The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.
The deciding factor: The new evidence submitted was not material as it did not provide any information that would counter the medical evidence and opinions which established that the Veteran's in-service complaints were due to the natural progression of pre-existing degenerative joint arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189026
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 19189026.
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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