The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right ankle ankylosis is denied, and the Board grants an earlier effective date of December 4, 2017 for entitlement to TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent for right ankle ankylosis. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU were met from December 4, 2017 due to his combined disability ratings and unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle ankylosis, Flatfeet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 13, 2024
- Citation
- A24024935
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 A24024935.
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's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle ankylosis and knee replacements, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 30, 2024. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle ankylosis and instability have been denied. The 10 percent rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis status post fracture remains unchanged, while the 30 percent rating for right ankle instability has been reduced.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including right ankle ankylosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinnitus) rendered him unable to obtain substantially gainful employment prior to March 16, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's request for higher evaluations for his service-connected right and left ankle disorders is partially granted, with a 40 percent evaluation for right ankle ankylosis from August 16, 2018. The remaining issues are remanded to obtain retrospective medical opinions.
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