Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle disability, a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for left thumb strain, and a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for LLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to November 21, 2020 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities and DEA benefits.

The Board granted service connection for a left Achilles tendon tear and denied higher ratings, initial compensable ratings, and service connections for other conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and dermatitis while granting a 20% rating for the left ankle disability and a 10% rating for the right great toe scar. The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance was also denied.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, and right arm condition as the Veteran has already been granted service connection for these conditions. The claim for chest pain was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for a left ankle disability, skin tags and keloids, and bilateral hearing loss to schedule VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot/ankle disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year of separation, and no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle strain and TDIU were granted based on the evidence supporting a direct connection to service and unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for left ankle strain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, and respiratory disabilities, as there was no evidence of current disability.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle collateral ligament sprain and left shoulder strain with an effective date of February 2, 2020. Service connection was also granted for headaches. The Board denied earlier effective dates for bilateral shin splints and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral shin splints.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle strain and flat feet to obtain a new VA medical opinion as the previous opinions were found insufficient.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle and mental health disabilities, but granted service connection for eye condition (vision) and tinnitus for purposes of health care benefits under Chapter 17, Title U.S.C.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's knees, right ankle, and TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and left knee strain and recurrent left knee patellar dislocation, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right hand disability, bilateral ankle disability, residuals of heat stroke, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and right foot strain effective January 28, 2022, but denied service connection for the other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claim for a retrospective opinion regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a right ankle strain and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.