Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board remanded several claims for further development and readjudication, including service connection for OSA and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for right wrist sprain, MDD, tension headaches, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board denied service connection for radicular pain paresthesia of the right and left lower extremities, an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle disability, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, and a compensable disability rating for the fifth finger of the right hand. The claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and migraines were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip sprain and initial disability ratings of 40 percent for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, 40 percent for right elbow epicondylitis, 20 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease, and 20 percent for right ankle degenerative disc disease.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and a left knee disorder as further development is needed.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion to address the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability as the evidence did not show that the current condition was related to active military service or incurred in service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance beginning November 19, 2015.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion and ensuring all pertinent records are associated with the claims file.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disorder and dismissed the appeal for a right ankle disorder, while denying increased ratings for left ankle sprain, cervicogenic headaches, and other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as further development of the record is needed to address the adequacy of the medical opinions provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus but granted it for left and right hip and ankle disabilities, all of which are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several issues related to her left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and low back disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, left ankle disability, female sexual arousal disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. An effective date of October 4, 2021, was also granted for a 70 percent rating assigned for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, PTSD, and cannabis use and alcohol use disorders.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain, left ankle deltoid ligament sprain (left ankle disability), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, scars, and left shoulder disorder as there was no evidence of current disabilities during or related to active service.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in the disability rating for service-connected asthma is dismissed due to a January 2025 rating decision that continued the Veteran's rating, rendering the issue moot.

The Board remands the service connection claims for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, and back disabilities to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders, including neck pain and stiffness, back pain and stiffness, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, knee pain and stiffness, and ankle pain and stiffness, as the October 2023 VA examination reports did not adequately identify the Veteran's subjective symptoms such as pain, stiffness, or weakness.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left ankle conditions, hallux valgus of both feet, and a gastrointestinal disorder due to inadequate VA medical opinions.