Ankle decisions — 2025

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, effective February 8, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's motions to revise on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for both October 28, 2021 and March 4, 2022 decisions.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied the claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for right ankle degenerative changes, and service connection for lupus nephritis.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and a right Achilles tendon disability, while dismissing the appeal for a right ankle disability. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for further development as there has not been substantial compliance with a previous remand, and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board granted service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus, alopecia areata, hypertension, sleep apnea, parathyroid cancer, cardiomegaly, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and arthritis of the bilateral feet, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and hands.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Board granted initial evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and right leg length discrepancy, while denying an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right hip sprain with impairment of the thigh and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right foot degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for multiple musculoskeletal conditions, including the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left and right ankles, hips, shoulders, and right knee.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection, an initial compensable rating for a bilateral eye disorder, and other orthopedic conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, low back, and right ankle conditions due to missing VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete personnel records, including those related to a court-martial.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and a higher rating, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip disability, left ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to service-connected disabilities), an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities), and headaches (secondary to service-connected disabilities). It also granted ratings of 20 percent or less for various knee and hip conditions.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with status post ACL reconstruction surgery and left ankle sprain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis to include residuals of right ankle fracture, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including back, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle issues.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty for training (ADT) service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, chronic fatigue, Meniere's disease, nausea, left big toe condition, and vertigo. The claims for diverticulitis, tinnitus, anxiety disorder, eating disorder, insomnia, major depression, and PTSD were remanded.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection, increased ratings, and other issues.