The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record showed moderate limitation of motion in both ankles prior to July 1, 2021, which did not warrant a higher rating. As of July 1, 2021, there was marked limitation of motion, but this still did not justify a rating in excess of the assigned levels.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis, left ankle sprain with instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2025
- Citation
- 25004566
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,676 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 25004566.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of left ankle sprain with instability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left ankle sprain with instability and ED as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service cellulitis of the left ankle and his service-connected PTSD, respectively.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis, non-dominant left wrist synovial cyst, and painful scar of the left hand due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracic strain, cervical strain, left ankle sprain with instability, and hemorrhoids.
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