The Veteran's disability rating for left ankle strain is increased to 20 percent, effective July 16, 2018. TDIU was granted prior to this date and remains in effect.
The deciding factor: The Veteran presented with marked impairment of the left ankle, including instability, pain, and limitation of motion that met the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating under DC 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Strain, Lateral Chronic Collateral Ligament Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23052683
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 23052683.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 12, 2016 to November 12, 2018 and from January 1, 2019 to July 22, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and noting the lack of credible lay statements regarding continuous symptoms since service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Persistent Depressive Disorder with Mild Alcohol Use Disorder and his service-connected Right Knee Strain, Left Ankle Strain, and Right Ankle Strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity requiring regular aid and attendance, and the Board has granted SMC effective March 17, 2023.
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