The Board denied the veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for left and right ankle deltoid ligament sprains, as the evidence did not support a rating greater than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's ankle range of motion was limited but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle deltoid ligament sprain, right ankle deltoid ligament sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2024
- Citation
- A24071009
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus with post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the left ankle deltoid ligament sprain to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back injury, joint pain, right ankle deltoid ligament sprain, tinnitus, and sleep apnea (OSA) or sleep disturbances due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or functional impairment.
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