The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by instability and early arthritis, is granted a 20% evaluation from December 29, 2017 to February 17, 2021, and full rating (100%) from April 1, 2021.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left ankle condition was initially injured while serving as a cadet in the United States Air Force Academy. The VA examiner found that the injury occurred during service and is related to his current disability. For the right ankle, the VA examiners noted instability and early arthritis, which resulted in marked limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative joint disease and ligament repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26020552
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 A26020552.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain post-service medical records from June 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for a higher rating of the veteran's left ankle condition due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran will receive another examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total evaluation and a higher disability rating for his left ankle condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.