The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ankle degenerative arthritis and separate rating for right ankle instability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have ankylosis of the right ankle, which is required for a higher rating under DC 5271.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners indicated no actual or functional equivalent of right ankle ankylosis and the private examiner's findings were internally inconsistent with the treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle degenerative arthritis, Right ankle instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 25, 2024
- Citation
- 24017712
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 24017712.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and tendonitis, is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of marked limited motion or other significant impairment.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle instability and secondary service connection for a right ankle scar. The decision also readjudicates the claim of service connection for the right ankle scar.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA Ankle Conditions examination conducted on September 26, 2024 did not comply with the remand directives and is therefore inadequate. The Veteran's right ankle disability remains under review for a higher rating.
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