The Veteran's chronic left ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under DC 5271. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as there was no evidence of marked limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s range of motion in the left ankle did not meet the criteria for either 'marked' or 'moderate' limitation, and thus, he does not qualify for a higher rating under DC 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic left ankle sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21022970
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 21022970.
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 left ankle disability is rated at a 20 percent rating for marked limitation of motion, the maximum schedular rating available.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to August 11, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU effective January 19, 2013.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his claim for a higher rating for left knee revision total knee arthroplasty. The Veteran was also granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and adjudication due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities are being examined again, and his entitlement to TDIU is also being addressed.
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