Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbosacral musculoligamentous strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, right ankle sprain, and allergic rhinitis. Service connection was granted for eczema (claimed as dermatitis) but denied for sinusitis, cirrhosis of the liver, cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and left ankle strain.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, and left ankle strain but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected injury to flexors (Group VII) of fingers/thumb, an initial compensable rating for recurrent bronchitis, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective March 27, 2024. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hand, left ankle strain, and right knee strain were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, finding that the August 13, 2024 intent to file a claim was not received within one year of the October 2022 rating decision.

The Board granted initial 10 percent ratings for cervical strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and right hand tendinosis. The claims for left foot hallux valgus and right foot hallux valgus were denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle conditions as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a left and right ankle disability, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for left hand and right hand essential tremors, as well as increased ratings for knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle. The appeal was denied for a left ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including right and left hip, elbow, ankle, knee, wrist, and lower back conditions, based on the Veteran's in-service trauma.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and assistance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a right ankle disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for both the right and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, as the evidence supports marked limitation of motion that significantly impairs normal use of the ankles.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current right ankle condition and her active service or any of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right ankle conditions due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for failure to timely file a notice of disagreement within one year of the rating decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right ankle strains, as well as an increased rating for bilateral stress fracture of tibia shin splints.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, bilateral hand tremors, and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The Board also granted an increased rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, except for restoring a 30 percent disability rating for right knee strain and a 20 percent disability rating for left knee strain.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition but denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and a skin condition of the feet and ankles.