Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the claim for a left ankle Achilles tendon rupture status post-surgery with ankle sprain.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating and service connection due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a cervical spine disability, a bilateral ankle disability, a bilateral knee disability, and a bilateral shoulder disability as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or medical nexus to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not support the level of impairment required for these ratings.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle strain with lateral instability, bipolar I disorder, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma and denied increased ratings for several disabilities, while granting a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis was granted, while the claims for bilateral ankle tendinitis with symptomatic laxity and bilateral foot degenerative arthritis were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to correct duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and adequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection claims, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and hearing loss, right ear, but denied service connection for lumbar spine pain, radicular pain and paresthesia of the lower extremities, allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, functional abdominal pain syndrome, restless leg syndrome, tremors of the hands, respiratory insufficiency, chronic headaches, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain.

The Board denied service connection for cold weather injury, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), and conditions of the ankles, shoulders, and left hand due to a lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or current diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, remanding some issues for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for right foot metatarsalgia, while remanding the other claims for further development.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome left knee limitation of flexion and right knee painful motion with limitation of extension, granted a 10 percent evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome left knee with limitation of extension, and denied evaluations in excess of 10 percent for the right knee (instability) and right ankle sprain.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and remanded the claims for increased ratings for left ankle sprain, left shoulder strain, left knee strain, and right knee sprain due to the need to discount the effects of medication.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, right hip, right ankle, and right knee disabilities as the weight of evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had current chronic diagnoses or functional limitations during the appeal period.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right and left ankle strain and tendonitis, effective from the date of the August 2023 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) as she did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no greater, for the period prior to March 4, 2020.