The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle has been dismissed as his claim was granted in a prior rating decision. The cases for left ankle and knee degenerative arthritis, along with right knee residuals, are remanded.
The deciding factor: The RO previously granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, which resolved the Veteran's appeal on this issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, Degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, Degenerative arthritis of the left knee, Degenerative arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20066547
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of flexion and in excess of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's condition.
- Denied
The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's knee and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, but remanded the issue of a low back disability for further development.
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