The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of his right ankle disability and has remanded the issue of increased ratings for his neck disability.
The deciding factor: The claim was not filed until December 15, 2017, which is when entitlement arose based on a March 2008 MRI report indicating degenerative joint disease in the Veteran's right ankle.
- Claimed conditions
- right lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis (claimed as right ankle condition arthritis), degenerative arthritis, cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23048521
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 23048521.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of March 23, 2011, for the grant of a separate 10 percent rating for left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion and from March 23, 2011, for a 10 percent rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis, instability or subluxation. The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for the left and right knees and cervical spine, and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine; right leg radiculopathy; and degenerative arthritis, cervical spine are dismissed as the Board granted service connection in a separate appeal stream.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues, including increased evaluations for various spine and joint conditions, as well as service connection for asthma. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded.
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