The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 15, 2018 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,TDIU was granted effective October 15, 2018, but the pre-October 15, 2018 period is not considered due to lack of minimum schedular requirements.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to October 15, 2018.
The deciding factor: The pre-October 15, 2018 rating was based on moderate limitation of motion. The post-October 15, 2018 rating is at the maximum schedular rating for ankle disability.,TDIU was granted effective October 15, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities meeting the criteria. However, TDIU prior to this date is denied as the Veteran did not meet minimum schedular requirements.,The pre-October 15, 2018 period does not qualify for TDIU because the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the required percentage ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Ankle, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Left Knee Condition, Plantar Fasciitis of the Left Foot, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20023949
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 20023949.
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 Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are more likely than not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is sufficient to grant a TDIU, and his other service-connected disabilities are at least 60% combined. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.