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Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the left ankle disability, as it only met moderate limitation of motion criteria. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (left knee instability, left knee chondromalacia patella, and left ankle disability) precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not show marked limitation of motion in the left ankle, which is required for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his chronic knee and ankle pain.

Claimed conditions
left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, left knee instability, left knee chondromalacia patella
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
December 27, 2022
Citation
22071696

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 22071696.

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.

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