The Board granted initial ratings of 10% for right and left ankle disabilities, and a 20% rating for low back disability during the entire period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed moderate limitation of motion in the ankles and lumbar spine, which met the criteria for the assigned ratings under DC 5271 (ankle) and DC 5242 (lumbar spine).
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Achilles Tendonitis, Left Ankle Achilles Tendonitis, Degenerative Joint Disease of Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23023109
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 23023109.
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 degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy have been granted a 40 percent rating. However, his right leg radiculopathy and left leg radiculopathy are remanded for further review.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, left ankle achilles tendonitis, and right knee disabilities but granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 21, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine conditions, have rendered him permanently housebound since April 7, 2018. The Board has granted an effective date of April 7, 2018 for SMC based on his housebound status.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether his symptoms manifest as unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine, and when these symptoms manifested.
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