The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is rated at a 20 percent disability rating, and his left ankle surgical scar is rated at a noncompensable (0%) disability rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left ankle was found to have marked limitation of motion without ankylosis or deformity. The left ankle surgical scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating as it was well healed, not painful, unstable, and did not cover more than 39 square centimeters.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, Left ankle surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20054494
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 20054494.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that new evidence received after the June 2024 denial supports a finding of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle. The decision concludes that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury playing softball.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of August 15, 2019, for a rating of 20 percent for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain status post debridement and loose body removal. An increased rating in excess of 20 percent was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, while remanding claims for muscular dystrophy and special monthly compensation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's painful left ankle surgical scar and denied an increased rating for plantar fasciitis and stress reaction of the left foot. The Board also remanded service connection for low/mid back pain.
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