The Veteran's right ankle disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under applicable diagnostic codes, so a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 40 percent since November 1, 2020, which is the highest schedular rating possible for this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 5, 2024
- Citation
- A24053003
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 A24053003.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ankle disability prior to March 24, 2021, was rated at 10 percent and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities to correct an error by the AOJ in satisfying the regulatory duty to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis prior to March 24, 2021 has not shown marked limited motion of the ankle (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion), thus a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent. The ratings for his bilateral ankle sprains with osteoarthritis have been withdrawn by the Veteran.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.