The Veteran's left ankle Achilles tendonitis is currently rated as non-compensably disabling (10%) and his right ankle Achilles tendonitis is rated at 20%. The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for both conditions.,The Veteran also did not meet the criteria for TDIU, as he was found to have skills in a field that allowed him to maintain substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and CAPRI treatment records showed moderate to mild-moderate limitation of motion for both ankles. The Veteran's functional impairment did not meet the criteria for marked limitation of motion, which would warrant a higher rating under DC 5271.,The Veteran had skills in radiology that allowed him to maintain employment despite his ankle disabilities and foot drop caused by his lumbar spine disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Achilles Tendonitis, Right Ankle Achilles Tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20013156
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20013156.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, left ankle achilles tendonitis, and right knee disabilities but granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 21, 2020.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to submit an updated application form. The Board also remanded other issues related to increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 10% for right and left ankle disabilities, and a 20% rating for low back disability during the entire period on appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle achilles tendonitis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.
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