The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 28, 2011.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ankle, knee, foot, and other related conditions significantly limit his ability to perform physical tasks required for employment, making it difficult or impossible to engage in any type of substantial gainful activity.
- Claimed conditions
- status post rupture of the right anterior fibulotalar ligament, right knee degenerative joint disease, right knee meniscus tear, right foot plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus, scar status post right knee arthroscopic surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- July 16, 2025
- Citation
- 25009281
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral achilles tendonitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, separate ratings for instability of the knees, a separate rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and service connection for bilateral leg pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic sinus disability, respiratory disability due to exposure to asbestos, heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for right knee subluxation and degenerative joint disease due to an inadequate addendum opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities.
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.