The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability as the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted the Veteran's active-duty service and was not permanently worsened beyond its natural progression by such service.
The deciding factor: The 2018 VA examiner's opinion, based on a thorough review of the claims file, found that the Veteran's right ankle disability was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during his service. The Board considered this opinion to be highly probative and more credible than the general contentions made by the Veteran and Appellant.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25033856
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,797 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25033856.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and a need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's military occupation as a water safety survival instructor.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.
- Dismissed
The appeal of depression, anxiety, and distress is dismissed as the Veteran's PTSD encompassing these symptoms was granted. The respiratory disability (asthma) claim is granted. Tinnitus and lumbar spine and ankle disabilities are also granted. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied.
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