The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected bilateral ankle and knee disabilities have been denied. The right ankle disability remains at a maximum rating of 20%, while the left ankle disability is rated as 20% disabling. Ratings in excess of these levels are not warranted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's ankle conditions meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes, and no new or material evidence has been presented to reopen his claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Right Ankle, Ankle, Status Post Surgery (Left)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21065621
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 21065621.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities from November 17, 2015. The appeal is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and restored his disability ratings for left knee instability and right knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion due to multiple orthopedic and neurological conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.
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