The Veteran's right ankle disability, rated at 20 percent prior to August 10, 2021, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, has not met the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted showed marked limitation of motion of the ankle (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion), which does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Arthroscopy, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), Tendinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22069312
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 22069312.
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 Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is determined to be causally related to his service-connected Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Joint Disease, leading to a liver biopsy. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for DJD and rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder was dismissed because the VA Form 10182 was not timely filed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disabilities is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior VA examinations.
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