The Board denied an effective date prior to March 6, 2023, for the award of service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis and remanded claims for a recurrent cervical spine disability and a higher rating for the right ankle.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's right ankle disability originated earlier than his discharge from active service in October 2003, and there was no new and material evidence to warrant an earlier effective date under the PACT Act.

Claimed conditions

right ankle degenerative arthritis, osteochondritis dissecans, and degenerative arthrosis, right talar osteochondral fracture residuals and avascular necrosis, arthroscopy residuals, and debridement residuals, recurrent cervical spine disability

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 12, 2025

Citation

A25097937

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