The Veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for his left ankle degenerative arthritis from July 1, 2023, to April 5, 2024, but the claim for a compensable disability rating for surgical scars was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran had marked limitation of motion in his left ankle during the appeal period, warranting a 20 percent rating under DC 5271. However, the evidence did not support a compensable rating for the surgical scars as they were stable and nonpainful.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle surgical scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25051274
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating of more than 20 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis from February 19, 2024.
- 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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and an initial 20 percent rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis, while denying a compensable rating for right hallux valgus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to August 6, 2021, for left ankle degenerative arthritis and denied an increased rating above 20 percent since August 6, 2021.
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