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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20023949.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.