The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for her back, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral metatarsalgia, and right knee disabilities.,Specifically, the Board found that there was no evidence of a back disability during active service or within one year post-service. The left and right ankle disabilities were not shown to be worse than moderate in severity. The Veteran's bilateral metatarsalgia is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. And her right knee disability did not warrant an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no evidence of a back disability during active service or within one year post-service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.,For the left and right ankle disabilities, the Board found that their severity did not warrant a higher rating as they were not shown to be worse than moderate in severity. The Veteran's bilateral metatarsalgia was rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, so an increased rating was denied.,The right knee disability was also rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations and thus no increase was granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Back (upper and lower) disability, Left ankle disability, Right ankle disability, Bilateral metatarsalgia, Right knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20039399
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 20039399.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 10, 1997, for a 10% disability rating for his right ankle disability is denied as there was no CUE in the previous decisions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for left ankle disability residuals, finding that his current condition is due to an in-service injury and granting the benefit of the doubt.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his service. The VA examiner must provide an opinion on this matter.
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.