The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability manifested in at worst moderate limitation of motion, even when considering pain and other symptoms during flare-ups or repeated use over time, which was insufficient to warrant a higher 20 percent rating under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25029842
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 237 · Granted: 39% (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 A25029842.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle but granted a separate rating for instability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and entitlement to TDIU due to an issue being inextricably intertwined.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and a scar, is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria. A separate rating for mild instability is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 40 percent effective November 6, 2017. The right ankle disorder is rated at 20 percent effective March 23, 2020.
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.