The Veteran's right ankle disability, rated at 20 percent since August 31, 2011, is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows marked limitation of motion and pain in the right ankle, but no ankylosis. The current 20% rating adequately reflects these findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle bursitis, Degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20069184
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.
- Denied
The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, and spinal fusion of the lumbar spine was denied as the Veteran failed to attend a necessary VA examination without good cause shown.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this issue.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for appendectomy scar, a compensable evaluation for residuals of dislocated right ring finger, and service connection for degenerative joint disease secondary to the right ring finger disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted from January 6, 2020 to present. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition continues to be rated at 10 percent.
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