Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood with TBI, denied a higher rating for this condition, granted a 20% rating for right knee degenerative joint disease status-post plateau fracture with multiple surgeries, and denied a higher rating for the right ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle musculoligamentous strain, vacating the previous decision that denied it.

The Board remands the case to prepare a statement of the case for earlier effective dates for service connection for coccyx injury residuals with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board granted an initial increased 60 percent rating for service-connected eczema and a 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability, effective from the date of claim.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including right hip disorder, genitourinary disorders, loss of sense of smell, and others, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar strain prior to April 2023 for further evidentiary development.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for right-ankle and left-ankle peroneal tendonitis as secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a procedural defect in how the appeal was filed.

The Board granted service connection for left and right ankle conditions, finding a nexus to the Veteran's military service based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's left shoulder and right ankle conditions, but granted a separate 20 percent rating for impairment of the right humerus associated with the right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's left finger condition, to include a ring-finger scar, is granted due to an etiological relationship with his service. Other claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. However, it granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disability and urinary disability, while dismissing the claims for left knee and right knee disabilities. The right hip and left hip disability claims were remanded for further examination.

The Board remands the service connection claim for a right ankle disorder due to an inadequate VA examination and outstanding SSA records.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right ankle sprain was denied, but a 20 percent rating for right shoulder degenerative arthritis prior to August 28, 2017, was granted.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right foot pes planus with degenerative arthritis and tendonitis was partially granted. A 30% rating was assigned starting August 22, 2023, but the request for a higher rating before that date was denied. Additionally, a separate 10% rating for right ankle posterior tibialis insufficiency with associated chronic right ankle pain was granted effective January 17, 2017.

The Board remands all service connection claims for further development, including VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left hip strain with limitation of flexion and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for other left hip conditions, as well as a compensable rating for rhinitis. The claims for service connection for various additional conditions were remanded.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle sprain, to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with accessory navicular, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left ankle sprain prior to May 18, 2022, and remanded claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity restless leg syndrome with radiculopathy.