The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the right foot and ankle, finding that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by amputation below the knee with a suitable prosthetic appliance. The decision is based on evidence from VA treating podiatrists who assessed the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's right foot and ankle conditions, including ankylosis and osteochondritis, resulted in no effective function remaining other than what would be equally well served by amputation below the knee with a suitable prosthetic appliance.
- Claimed conditions
- right osteochondritis, right ankle arthritis (osteoarthritis), ankylosis of the right ankle, bilateral pes planus with right foot metatarsalgia and right talar dome lesion, bilateral lower extremity peripheral polyneuropathy (claimed as sciatica neuritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- November 23, 2022
- Citation
- A22023891
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 A22023891.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 due to outstanding records and the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings on several conditions, including a foot disorder, lumbar disc disease, right ankle condition, right shoulder acromioclavicular separation with impingement syndrome, left lower shin disability, and headaches. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with its March 2016 remand directive and provide an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred for extraschedular consideration prior to July 22, 2014.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, initial compensable rating, and initial rating in excess of 10 percent were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. Service connection claims were also dismissed.
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