The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle with ankylosis, finding that the disability was no more than 30 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5270. The highest rating available based on limitation of motion is 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic arthritis of the left ankle, Ankylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20012261
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 20012261.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim for an increased rating of right elbow, residuals gunshot wound, traumatic arthritis elbow, ankylosis, and scars right upper extremity (major) due to a duty-to-assist error in not providing an examination related to the Veteran's right hand symptoms.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU as of April 11, 2017 and from August 1, 2015 to April 10, 2017. The claim for TDIU prior to August 1, 2015 is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by ankylosis with inversion deformity, pain, swelling and severe limitation of motion, is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms are encompassed by the current rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The right ankle issue is being addressed first, with a request for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a new examination to assess the severity of the service-connected right ankle disability throughout the entire appeal period.
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