Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and remanded the claims for chronic bronchitis, respiratory problems, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and narcolepsy due to insufficient evidence regarding toxic exposures and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation due to not meeting the legal criteria.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining private medical records and updated TERA opinions.

The appeals for earlier effective dates were dismissed due to a violation of claims-processing rules.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left ankle condition, a lower back condition, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as they require further development.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board granted service connection for recurrent tinnitus, left ankle disability, and left lower ear scar but denied service connection for hair loss. The Board also denied initial compensable ratings for tinea pedis and rhinitis.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection awards related to right foot and left knee conditions, as well as a right ankle condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee, ankle, and hip disorders as new and relevant evidence has been submitted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities to obtain VA examinations with etiology opinions.

The Board denied service connection for lateral collateral ligament sprain of both ankles as the evidence did not support a relationship between the current disabilities and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the right foot under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k).

The Board remands the claim for a left ankle disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service ankle injury and addresses the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle instability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disability due to a duty to assist error.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for an increased disability evaluation for left ankle sprain and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to untimely filings.

The Board dismissed the appeal for chronic bronchitis as untimely and denied service connection for various other conditions including a left ankle disorder, asthma, shoulder disorder, chest disorder, foot disorder, GI disorder, hand disorder, knee disorder, and neck disorder due to lack of evidence supporting their direct relation to service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, right shoulder painful scar, left shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and right leg atrophy and muscle deterioration in calf, quad, hamstring, as new VA etiology opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The appeal was dismissed for tinnitus, and service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, a low back condition, an upper back condition, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, and bilateral foot conditions.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the right ankle disability prior to November 16, 2019 and from April 23, 2021 onward; denied a higher rating during other periods. The Board also granted a 30 percent disability rating for the right foot pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, left foot achilles spur and degenerative arthritis, and right foot hallux valgus from September 28, 2023 to May 29, 2025; denied a higher rating during other periods. The Board granted TDIU for the period from March 1, 2025 to June 6, 2025.

The Board granted service connection for several left-sided joint conditions and a right shoulder disability, while denying service connection for a skeletal system disorder other than degenerative arthritis and a right knee disability.