The Veteran's right ankle arthritis is rated at 20 percent since the beginning of the appeal period. The left ankle arthritis is rated at 20 percent as of September 21, 2019. The low back disability remains rated at 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed moderate to marked limitation of motion in both ankles and a significant functional loss due to pain, fatigue, weakness, and lack of endurance after repeated use or flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle arthritis, Right ankle arthritis, Low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20049091
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 20049091.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and a bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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