The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,A rating of 20 percent for the right ankle disability prior to November 6, 2017 is granted. From November 6, 2017, a higher rating is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or treatment related to TBI. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current disability for residuals of a TBI.,During the May 2015 and August 2016 VA examinations, the Veteran reported limited range of motion in his right ankle with functional impairment due to pain, swelling, and range of motion loss. From November 6, 2017, the VA examination showed similar findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Right Ankle Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21002620
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21002620.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining records from the Lancaster Vet Center and private mental health professionals.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD and TBI residuals from 70% to 70%, effective October 28, 2020. The reduction was improper due to a lack of evidence demonstrating improvement in the Veteran's condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI residuals are currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 14, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.