The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right foot and ankle disabilities, as they are already rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available under the amputation rule.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined evaluation for his service-connected right foot and ankle disabilities is 40 percent, which is the maximum evaluation that can be granted under the rating schedule. As a matter of law, he cannot be granted increased evaluations for these disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot first metatarso-phalangeal joint and interphalangeal joints with degenerative joint disease and metatarsalgia, residuals of a right ankle fracture with dislocation, instability, and degenerative arthritis with an anterior talo-fibular ligament tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25048398
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
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