Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain due to an inadequate VA examination.

The claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, right ankle strain, and shin splints are remanded to obtain new medical opinions that fully address the Veteran's contentions.

All appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection were dismissed as they were duplicative of previously addressed appeals or due to untimely filings.

The Board granted restoration of the 30 percent evaluation for bilateral flat feet and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Various claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for cervical strain, arthritis, DDD, IVDS and service connection for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left shoulder strain, and bilateral vertigo due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle s/p arthroscopy with debridement/curettage osteochondral defect was denied as the evidence did not show worsening of the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and total disability based on individual unemployability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle, shoulder, and wrist conditions based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, all starting from January 1, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle, cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and sleep disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right wrist disability based on the evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and service connection for left and right ankle disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for osteochondral lesion talar dome right ankle, migraines, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as the claims were not continuously prosecuted prior to December 9, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and assigned initial ratings of 30 percent for migraines, 20 percent for each ankle condition, and 40 percent for lumbar strain. Effective dates earlier than July 7, 2022, were denied for the ankle, migraine, and lumbar strain conditions, while an effective date of August 17, 2022, was granted for sinusitis.

The appeal was dismissed due to a procedural defect involving concurrent elections for review.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal and other conditions as there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's active service and her current disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle, right knee, and left knee as secondary to the service-connected right ankle due to a lack of development by the AOJ.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus with post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine.