Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle with soft tissue swelling, and for radiculopathy in both lower extremities due to a service-connected back disability. The Veteran was also granted an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher initial rating for his mental health condition, and increased ratings for his right ankle, back, and nerve conditions.

The Board remands the matter for an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and effective dates, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 7, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, as the Veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating for a right ankle disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right and left ankle disabilities, effective December 5, 2012.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to deficiencies in the record and VA's duty to assist.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for right ankle strain with instability as more evidence is needed.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, lumbago with sciatica, and left hip degenerative change as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and tinnitus, while denying service connection for various other disabilities including the right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, heart, respiratory, kidney, venous thrombosis, urinary hesitancy, acute metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disturbance, abdominal distension, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, neurological disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, stroke, skin disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral foot pain, hammer toes, tinea pedis, meningitis, GERD, traumatic brain injury, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee instability, any acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis, and a gastroenterology condition to ensure all relevant treatment records are obtained and VA examinations are conducted.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 2024, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied earlier effective dates for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities as well as allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for dental work residuals of oral surgery to include osteonecrosis and denuded bone, as well as for right ankle arthritis with limited range of motion.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 20 percent rating for a left ankle strain with degenerative joint disease.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle condition as secondary to the service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain and right knee disorder, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's in-service basketball injury and his current degenerative arthritis of the right ankle.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the issues for further development, including a supplemental statement of the case addressing the increased rating issue and the inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.