The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations were denied as the evidence did not show that his ankle fracture or lumbar spine disability warranted a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations, which resulted in the inability to assess the severity of his ankle fracture and lumbar spine disability based on current medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- status post fracture of the lateral malleolus, left ankle, spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine, L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20066791
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected knee disabilities, but denied service connection for a variety of other conditions including bilateral ankle, shoulder, foot, mood disorder, tinnitus, hyperlipidemia, and knees.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle conditions to correct a duty to assist error, requiring medical opinions on their relationship to the Veteran's service.
- Granted
The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.
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