The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle fracture and post-traumatic arthritis and arthroplasty, effective August 18, 2025. The Board found that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right ankle disability was at least as likely as not worsened during his active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle fracture, post-traumatic arthritis and arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 19, 2026
- Citation
- A26015376
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26015376.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, which grants entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at a housebound rate is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC higher than the (l) + (1/2) rate due to lack of anatomical loss or use of extremities, blindness, or permanent bedridden status.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of his service connection claims, finding that the appeal was untimely and no good cause for extension was provided.
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