The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of a left tibia and fibula fracture with left ankle DJD was denied. The claim for TDIU due to the service-connected disability was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no evidence of malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5262. The Veteran's ankle had moderate limitation of motion, but not enough to meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- Left tibia and fibula fracture, 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
- November 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20074241
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,319 · Granted: 25% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20074241.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Veteran's right and left ankle DJD have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent each, effective June 18, 2015.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture to left tibia and fibula was denied as he is currently in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating of 20 percent.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating in the earlier period (October 20, 1995 to July 30, 1996) for his lower back disability and denied service connection for left ankle DJD prior to March 7, 1996.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left femur, left tibia and fibula fracture, and left leg scar have been denied as there is no evidence of the required criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.
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