Ankle decisions — 2025

The appeal for increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions was dismissed due to a untimely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board remands the claims for increased initial disability ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and a right ankle strain to ensure that VA examinations are adequate.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for xerosis, RUQ abdominal pain, left ankle condition manifested by pain, and right ankle condition manifested by pain.

The Board granted service connection for left and right elbow disabilities manifested by numbness, but denied service connection for a low back disability and other claimed conditions.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle tendonitis and in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to ensure adequate examinations are conducted.

The Board granted service connection for a right foot disability and remanded claims for PTSD, jock itch, pseudo folliculitis, bilateral rhonchi, OSA, and left lower extremity condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for a left hip condition, denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected left knee strain, granted an initial 20 percent rating for service-connected left ankle disability prior to February 10, 2021, and denied a rating higher than 10 percent for the same from February 10, 2021 onward. The Board also remanded entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and referred a claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety due to chronic pain.

The Board denied increased ratings for tinnitus and right ankle strain with residual osteoarthritis, but remanded claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, lumbosacral strain, and associated radiculopathies due to missing private treatment records.

The Board granted the appeal and restored the 40% evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as the 20% evaluations for left and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain.

The Board granted service connection for residuals, right ankle fracture with pain and limited motion, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated during his active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including glaucoma, diabetes, and neuropathy, as the probative evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, ankle instability, bilateral pes planus/flat feet, left foot hammertoes, right foot hammertoes, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, right hip pain, and left hip pain as there was no evidence that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including Parkinson's disease and related secondary conditions, as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or toxic exposure risk activity.

The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability was dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted in full.

The appeal was granted for an earlier effective date of June 9, 2021, for the award of TDIU and DEA based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee, right ankle, and right foot disability based on the evidence showing that these conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol or unspecified hyperlipidemia, tuberculosis (TB), traumatic brain injury, migraines, low back disability, neck disability, and others. The claims were not supported by sufficient evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and granted some, including a 20% rating for right ankle arthritis from April 2, 2022, and separate 30% ratings for left and right knee ankylosis starting May 23, 2022.

The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating higher than 10 percent for the service-connected right and left ankle disabilities, but granted a 10 percent disability rating for the service-connected left hand skin disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for various conditions based on clear and unmistakable error in the May 1992 rating decision.