The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a rating above 10 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed moderate limitation of motion in the Veteran's left ankle, which did not meet the criteria for a higher 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle degenerative arthritis, left leg strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 23, 2025
- Citation
- A25053985
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.
- 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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