The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right ankle disorder and a right foot disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right ankle claim and concluding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current right foot disorders, with the most probative opinion indicating the arthritis is more likely due to natural wear and tear over time.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle disorder, Right foot disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21072729
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 21072729.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disorder, finding that it was not shown to be related to his active duty service and did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to his left ankle disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disorder and a left foot disorder, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder and a lung disorder, finding that the conditions are related to active-duty service.
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