The Veteran's left ankle condition had its onset during service and is related to his military service, thus service connection for the condition is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the medical and lay evidence showed that the Veteran's left ankle disability had its onset in service and has been recurrent since then, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20055162
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 20055162.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Board denied increased ratings for left hip arthritis with limitation of adduction/abduction/rotation, flexion, and extension prior to December 17, 2020, as well as a compensable rating for left ankle degenerative joint disease. The appeal also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spondylolisthesis and bilateral ankle dermatitis, restored the ratings for left knee limitation of extension, left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), and right ankle DJD, and denied service connection for sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a right 5th finger scar, increased ratings for left knee flexion and extension, and rhinitis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because it needs more evidence to decide if OSA is related to the veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and whether new evidence supports reopening a right ankle fracture claim. The VA will conduct examinations to assess current disability levels and provide an SOC on the reopened issue.
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