Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of a right ankle disorder and back disorder due to inadequate VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied, but the claim for a higher rating for a right ankle disability was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for unexplained weight loss was denied. All other claims were remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not show a medical nexus between these conditions and the veteran's reported in-service injuries or events.

The Board dismissed the appeals for pseudofolliculitis barbae and rhinitis. Service connection was denied for several conditions, including neurological damage in both legs, IBS, GERD, cervical spine disability, migraines, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, dry skin, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, low back pain with arthritis and instability, and sinusitis. The appeals for left ankle disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and HIV were remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist DeQuervain's syndrome and TBI residuals were granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for right knee strain was denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for painful flexion was granted. All other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and chronic left ankle sprain were granted. The claims for service connection for a dental or oral condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and higher ratings for knee disabilities were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected chronic right ankle sprain and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for PTSD was denied. However, the veteran was granted TDIU as of April 1, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including foot, ankle, knee, wrist, back, joint pain, mouth, erectile dysfunction, IBS, headache, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for right ankle issues was denied, but the claim for total disability due to unemployability was remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right elbow pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, and left ankle pain. The Board could not consider evidence submitted after the September 2022 decision but will be considered by the AOJ in the readjudication.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were partially denied, with some issues remanded for further consideration.

The Board remands the claims for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum medical opinion.

The veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle pain, left ankle pain, and left knee condition as secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis, left foot pes planus, and bilateral plantar and retrocalcaneal spurs were granted.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right ankle condition because it did not begin during active service and is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, right ankle, right elbow, and right hip conditions. The VA must provide examinations to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions but remanded the issues of disability ratings for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a rating higher than 10% for his right ankle strain, stating that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle condition and hypertension was denied. The claim for a higher disability rating for back condition, lung condition with shortness of breath, and tinnitus was also denied. However, the Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for lung condition with shortness of breath was granted effective October 3, 2022.