The Board denied separate compensable ratings for left and right ankle disorders as manifestations of service-connected shin splints, and remanded the claim for an increased rating for tension headaches due to missing information.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's ankle symptoms were not found to be separate and distinct from his service-connected shin splints, and there was no evidence of a chronic condition of the ankle. The Board also found that assigning separate ratings would amount to pyramiding, which is to be avoided.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle disorder, Right ankle disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2025
- Citation
- A25046847
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee strain, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for a right ankle disorder. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to a regulatory duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and assigned initial ratings of 40 percent, but no higher, for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 30 percent, but no higher, for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
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