Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a compensable rating for her right ankle sprain, and service connection for bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle joint pain, right ankle joint pain, left hip joint pain, left shoulder joint pain, right shoulder joint pain, and tinnitus to correct pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist.

The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder is granted, and a remand is warranted for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of other claimed disorders.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and outstanding medical records.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the right ankle disability prior to April 18, 2024, but denied a higher rating from that date.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and hip conditions as well as migraine headaches to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a left ankle disorder as additional evidence is needed to support the decisions.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied increased ratings for PTSD and MDD, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and remanded the claim for a left ankle condition due to duty-to-assist errors.

The appeal for service connection for left foot and ankle conditions has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, bilateral ankle disabilities, hypertension, left knee disability, right little finger disability, and left hand scar as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hand (fingers/thumb) condition, ankle pain, foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, low back pain, migraines, sciatica, and TBI, has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU and DEA benefits prior to September 30, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, vertigo, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, as there was no evidence of onset in service or a relationship to service.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left ankle disabilities but granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability in both ankles. A compensable rating was also denied for bilateral tinea pedis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a left foot disability, to obtain additional medical opinions addressing direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye condition, psychiatric disability, and other disabilities. Service connection was granted for a dental condition solely to establish eligibility for outpatient dental treatment.

The Board granted a 100 percent initial disability rating for major depressive disorder and denied all other claims for increased ratings.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral ankle pain, foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, low back pain, and sciatica, has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle condition, to include right ankle pain and deltoid ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent), and a right ankle scar as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability.