10-05 058, 10-05 058

Veteran served active duty Oct 2000–Aug 2008 and was service‑connected for bilateral shin splints effective Aug 12, 2008.
RO initially assigned 0% (Apr 2009); increased to 10% for each lower extremity (Feb 2016). Appeal seeks ratings in excess of 10% for each leg.
Case remanded for development in Sept 2015 and June 2016; VA examinations in Jan 2016 and Feb 2017 were obtained.
Examiners found shin splint symptoms limited to pain with walking and running and no objective tibia/fibula impairment or ROM loss of knee/ankle attributable to shin splints.
Veteran has separate service‑connected left knee arthritis (10%) and reported knee flare‑ups, but examiners did not link knee/ankle impairment to shin splints.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether the Veteran is entitled to an initial rating greater than 10% for bilateral shin splints (DC 5262 analog)	Veteran contends symptoms warrant higher rating based on pain and functional limitation	VA contends evidence shows only pain with walking/running and no more than slight knee/ankle disability attributable to shin splints	Denied — evidence does not show more than slight knee/ankle disability or other criteria for >10% under DC 5262

AB v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 35 (discussing continued appellate jurisdiction when increased rating granted but not fully favorable)
Francisco v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 55 (present level of disability is primary focus)
Butts v. Brown, 5 Vet. App. 532 (assignment of diagnostic code depends on facts of the case)
Tedeschi v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 411 (appropriate use of rating by analogy)
Scott v. McDonald, 789 F.3d 1375 (Board not required to raise procedural arguments not pressed by veteran)
Dickens v. McDonald, 814 F.3d 1359 (duty to assist argument must be raised)
Doucette v. Shulkin, 28 Vet. App. 366 (Board need only address issues raised by claimant or reasonably raised by record)