Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 7, 2021, as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment during that period.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right tarsal tunnel syndrome prior to May 8, 2025, and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The other claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right foot arthritis and an earlier effective date of January 3, 2017, for a psychiatric disability rating, but denied service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle arthritis (secondary to PTSD), increased rating for psychiatric disability, TDIU, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for right ankle laxity due to sprain and service connection for a right knee strain/sprain as secondary to the right ankle disability, but granted service connection for right gluteus medius tendinopathy as secondary to the right ankle disability.

The claims for service connection and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded due to the failure of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to ensure delivery of the November 2022 supplemental statement of the case to the Appellant.

The Board denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, allergic or non-allergic and urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) as there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of October 25, 2021, for the Veteran's service connection claims for plantar fasciitis and pes planus, bilateral; left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendinitis; trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip; trochanteric pain syndrome, right hip; lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle; and lateral collateral ligament sprain, right ankle.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as they are not related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left wrist tendinitis, left patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a left ankle condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to November 8, 2011, for service connection of a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, except for the grant of an earlier effective date for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist, left wrist, right hip, left hip, and right ankle disabilities but granted service connection for right knee and left knee patellar instability. The claims for a right shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disability were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for deviated septum and dismissed the appeals for separate compensable rating for headaches, rating in excess of 10 percent for pansinusitis and frontal sinusitis, rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, and service connection for right ankle strain due to procedural issues.

The Board denied service connection for an eating disorder and remanded the claims for headaches, hair loss, sore gums, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, foot disability, and low back disability for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis, right ankle to cure a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for TMJD and granted a separate 10 percent rating for limited lateral excursion. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for left ankle, left foot, and right foot gout were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, left wrist, bilateral hip, and left ankle disabilities as there is no current disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was remanded for further development.

The appeals for an effective date prior to February 4, 2016, for the awards of service connection for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities were dismissed by the Veteran during a Board hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for both issues due to untimely filing of the appeal requests.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service or any incident of service.