The Board denied an increased initial rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis but granted a separate 20 percent rating for right ankle instability, and denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes due to the lack of evidence supporting more than moderate limitation of motion or functional equivalent of ankylosis. However, there was sufficient evidence to support a separate 20 percent rating for right ankle instability associated with degenerative arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle degenerative arthritis, right ankle instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25042200
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, bilateral hip conditions and entitlement to specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated during his period of ACDUTRA.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for unspecified trauma and stressor with unspecified depressive disorder, but remanded the issues of a higher rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis and TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for right ankle instability, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle degenerative arthritis as there is no evidence of a current disability; in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disease or injury.
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