The Veteran's right ankle disability prior to March 24, 2021, was rated at 10 percent and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed moderate limited motion of the ankle (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion) without marked limitation, which is consistent with the current 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26013988
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26013988.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities to correct an error by the AOJ in satisfying the regulatory duty to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis prior to March 24, 2021 has not shown marked limited motion of the ankle (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion), thus a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right ankle disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under applicable diagnostic codes, so a higher rating is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent. The ratings for his bilateral ankle sprains with osteoarthritis have been withdrawn by the Veteran.
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