The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for a left hip condition, denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected left knee strain, granted an initial 20 percent rating for service-connected left ankle disability prior to February 10, 2021, and denied a rating higher than 10 percent for the same from February 10, 2021 onward. The Board also remanded entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and referred a claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety due to chronic pain.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of evidence supporting service connection for a left hip condition within one year of the December 2017 rating decision, and the failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement. The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the left ankle disability prior to February 10, 2021, due to marked limitation of motion, but denied a higher rating from that date onward.

Claimed conditions

left hip condition, left knee strain, left ankle tendinitis

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 24, 2025

Citation

A25016271

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