You should file a claim for secondary service connection for your left ankle and fibula fractures, as they are a direct result of your service-connected right knee condition. Under 38 CFR 3.310(a), a disability is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury if there is a causal relationship; your knee locking and causing the fall establishes this nexus. You must submit three key elements: 1) a current diagnosis for the fractures (likely under Diagnostic Code 5262 for the ankle and 5261 for the fibula, per 38 CFR §4.71a), 2) medical evidence (like a nexus letter) stating it is "at least as likely as not" that your SC knee instability caused the fall and injuries, and 3) your lay statement detailing the event, bolstered by the video evidence you possess. The principle from *Buchanan v. Nicholson* supports that aggravation of a non-service condition by a SC one is compensable, and *DeLuca v. Brown* allows for consideration of increased functional loss during flare-ups, which is relevant to your knee locking. Your actionable next steps are to immediately file an Intent to File (to preserve your earliest effective date), then formally submit the claim with your statement, the video, all treatment records from the community care orthopedist, and a strong nexus opinion, ideally from that treating surgeon or an independent medical expert.
***Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding VA claims processes and is not intended as legal or medical advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult with an accredited VA attorney or claims agent.***
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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